Governor of Florida · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in the Florida governor's race?
David Jolly has the strongest record in the Florida governor's race. David Jolly scores 62 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Byron Donalds at 59, as of October 9, 2026. David Jolly's highest marks are relevant experience and coalition building. Byron Donalds's highest marks are relevant experience and results. Dean Abrams (1 of 15 criteria), Kathy Anderson (1 of 15 criteria), Charles Burkett (7 of 15 criteria), Jeff Datto (1 of 15 criteria), Moliere Dimanche (2 of 15 criteria), Scott Jewett (3 of 15 criteria), Erik Morris (2 of 15 criteria) and Frank J. Russo (1 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
No Party Affiliation
Dean Abrams
On the ballot as Dean Ocean Abrams
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 1 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- NR
- Performance
- NR
Write-in
Kathy Anderson
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 1 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- NR
- Performance
- NR
No Party Affiliation
Charles Burkett
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 7 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 63
- Performance
- NR
No Party Affiliation
Jeff Datto
On the ballot as Jeffrey Peter "Dr. Jeff" Datto
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 1 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- NR
- Performance
- NR
No Party Affiliation
Moliere Dimanche
On the ballot as Moliere "Moe" Dimanche
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 2 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 75
- Performance
- NR
Republican
Byron Donalds
59 / 100
Public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 45
- Qualifications
- 75
- Performance
- 56
Libertarian
Scott Jewett
On the ballot as Scott Eckhard Jewett
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 3 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Democratic
Strongest record
David Jolly
62 / 100
Public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 75
- Performance
- 58
Write-in
Erik Morris
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 2 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
No Party Affiliation
Frank J. Russo
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 1 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- NR
- Performance
- NR
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Dean Abrams
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Kathy Anderson
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Charles Burkett
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Jeff Datto
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Moliere Dimanche
- On the record2007 to 2016
Served eight and a half years in Florida Department of Corrections custody before his April 2016 release, per the St. Augustine Record.
Byron Donalds
- Mark against2025-02-07
His voting card cast two House votes on H.R. 26 on Feb. 7, 2025 while he was in California taping HBO's Real Time; House rules bar such voting. No ethics action found.
Sources: House Clerk, Roll Call 34, Feb. 7, 2025 (XML), House Clerk, Roll Call 35, Feb. 7, 2025 (XML), Punchbowl News, Feb. 11, 2025, Washington Examiner, Feb. 12, 2025
- Mark against2022 to 2024
Did not file periodic transaction reports for more than 100 stock trades by him and his wife in 2022 and 2023; the trades appeared only in later annual disclosures.
Sources: House Clerk, 2023 annual financial disclosure (filed Aug. 13, 2024), Florida Bulldog, Sept. 2024, The Capitolist, Sept. 6, 2024
- Mark against1997 and 2000
Arrested for misdemeanor marijuana possession in 1997, dismissed through pretrial diversion; arrested in 2000 on a felony bribery charge, pleaded no contest, served one year of probation; the charge was later expunged.
Sources: PolitiFact, Aug. 27, 2025, Naples Daily News, as published by Yahoo News, Oct. 2023
- Unresolved2026-07-07
Kelly Mason, a charter school founder, filed a civil assault suit in Collier County alleging he threatened her at a Naples grocery store in 2022; his campaign called it baseless and politically motivated.
Where it stands: Florida Politics reported on Sept. 9, 2026 that Mason dropped the suit; that article could not be opened, so the dismissal is not confirmed here. No court finding against him.
Sources: WCTV, July 8, 2026, WFSU, July 13, 2026
- On the record2026-09
Took part in the WLRN Sunshine Economy Summit forum on Sept. 23, 2026 and held a student town hall at Florida A&M after the university canceled a debate Jolly declined.
Sources: Florida Politics, as published by The Miami Times, WFSU, as published by WUSF, Oct. 4, 2026
- On the record2026-10-02
PolitiFact found his ad overstated David Jolly's past offshore drilling lobbying; PolitiFact rates 5 of his 14 checked statements False and 4 Mostly False.
Sources: PolitiFact Florida, as published by WLRN, Oct. 2, 2026, PolitiFact, Byron Donalds scorecard
- On the record2023-01
Voted against Kevin McCarthy for speaker on several January 2023 ballots and received votes from the Republican holdouts.
Sources: House Clerk, Roll Call 4, Jan. 3, 2023 (XML), House Clerk, Roll Call 5, Jan. 4, 2023 (XML)
- On the record2021-01-06
Voted Yea on the House objections to Arizona's and Pennsylvania's certified electoral votes on Jan. 6 and 7, 2021, days after taking office; both failed.
Sources: House Clerk, Roll Call 10, Jan. 6, 2021, House Clerk, Roll Call 11, Jan. 7, 2021
- Credit2025-09-30
TIME named him to its 2025 TIME100 Next list of rising leaders.
Source: TIME, Sept. 30, 2025
- Credit2025-01
Florida A&M University's interim president presented him the 2025 FAMU Impact Award.
Source: USA TODAY Network Florida, as published by Yahoo News, Feb. 21, 2025
- Credit2023 to 2024
The Center for Effective Lawmaking rated him Exceeds expectations in the 118th Congress, with one substantive bill becoming law.
Scott Jewett
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
David Jolly
- On the record2026-09-20
Declined all 2026 general election debates with Byron Donalds, saying "You can't debate a liar"; Florida A&M canceled a televised debate set for its campus.
- On the record2018 to 2025
Left the Republican Party in 2018 to become an independent and registered as a Democrat in 2025 before running for governor.
Source: Associated Press, as published by WCJB, June 5, 2025
- On the record2016-04
Sponsored the Stop Act to bar federal officeholders from personally soliciting donations and described party fundraising quotas on 60 Minutes; the NRCC disputed his account.
Sources: CBS News, April 2016, Ballotpedia, David Jolly
- On the record2014 to 2026
PolitiFact rates four of his checked statements Mostly False and none False; in 2014 it rated Mostly False his claim that he never lobbied for offshore drilling.
Sources: PolitiFact, David Jolly scorecard, PolitiFact Florida, as published by WLRN, Oct. 2, 2026
- Credit2015 to 2016
Ranked 48th of the House on the Lugar Center Bipartisan Index for the 114th Congress.
Source: Lugar Center, Bipartisan Index, House, 114th Congress
Erik Morris
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Frank J. Russo
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Dean Abrams. Qualified with the Division of Elections, which requires a financial disclosure. No Florida Commission on Ethics order names this candidate and the name is not on the ethics fines collection list.
Sources: Florida Division of Elections, candidate record (Dean Abrams), Florida Commission on Ethics, final and unpublished orders, Florida Commission on Ethics, fines placed with collections (as of 6/30/26)
Kathy Anderson. Qualified with the Division of Elections, which requires a financial disclosure. No Florida Commission on Ethics order names this candidate and the name is not on the ethics fines collection list.
Sources: Florida Division of Elections, candidate record (Kathy Anderson), Florida Commission on Ethics, final and unpublished orders, Florida Commission on Ethics, fines placed with collections (as of 6/30/26)
Charles Burkett. Qualified with the Division of Elections, which requires a financial disclosure. No Florida Commission on Ethics order names this candidate and the name is not on the ethics fines collection list.
Sources: Florida Division of Elections, candidate record (Charles Burkett), Florida Commission on Ethics, final and unpublished orders, Florida Commission on Ethics, fines placed with collections (as of 6/30/26)
Jeff Datto. Qualified with the Division of Elections, which requires a financial disclosure. No Florida Commission on Ethics order names this candidate and the name is not on the ethics fines collection list.
Sources: Florida Division of Elections, candidate record (Jeff Datto), Florida Commission on Ethics, final and unpublished orders, Florida Commission on Ethics, fines placed with collections (as of 6/30/26)
Moliere Dimanche. Qualified with the Division of Elections, which requires a financial disclosure. No Florida Commission on Ethics order names this candidate and the name is not on the ethics fines collection list.
Sources: Florida Division of Elections, candidate record (Moliere Dimanche), Florida Commission on Ethics, final and unpublished orders, Florida Commission on Ethics, fines placed with collections (as of 6/30/26)
Byron Donalds. Did not file periodic transaction reports for 2022 and 2023 trades by him and his wife; they surfaced only in annual reports, per the House Clerk record and two outlets. Under E16, Integrity 1. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: House Clerk, 2023 annual financial disclosure (filed Aug. 13, 2024), Florida Bulldog, Sept. 2024, The Capitolist, Sept. 6, 2024, FEC administrative fines search
Scott Jewett. Qualified with the Division of Elections, which requires a financial disclosure. No Florida Commission on Ethics order names this candidate and the name is not on the ethics fines collection list.
Sources: Florida Division of Elections, candidate record (Scott Jewett), Florida Commission on Ethics, final and unpublished orders, Florida Commission on Ethics, fines placed with collections (as of 6/30/26)
David Jolly. No FEC administrative fine found and no Florida Commission on Ethics order names him. PolitiFact rates four of his statements Mostly False and none False.
Sources: FEC administrative fines search, Florida Commission on Ethics, final and unpublished orders, PolitiFact, David Jolly scorecard
Erik Morris. Qualified with the Division of Elections, which requires a financial disclosure. No Florida Commission on Ethics order names this candidate and the name is not on the ethics fines collection list.
Sources: Florida Division of Elections, candidate record (Erik Morris), Florida Commission on Ethics, final and unpublished orders, Florida Commission on Ethics, fines placed with collections (as of 6/30/26)
Frank J. Russo. Qualified with the Division of Elections, which requires a financial disclosure. No Florida Commission on Ethics order names this candidate and the name is not on the ethics fines collection list.
Sources: Florida Division of Elections, candidate record (Frank J. Russo), Florida Commission on Ethics, final and unpublished orders, Florida Commission on Ethics, fines placed with collections (as of 6/30/26)
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Dean Abrams. No public record found.
Kathy Anderson. No public record found.
Charles Burkett. No public record found.
Jeff Datto. No public record found.
Moliere Dimanche. No public record found.
Byron Donalds. Voted against Kevin McCarthy, the House Republican Conference nominee for speaker, on several January 2023 ballots, voting for Jim Jordan on the third and receiving votes himself from the holdouts.
Sources: House Clerk, Roll Call 4, Jan. 3, 2023 (XML), House Clerk, Roll Call 5, Jan. 4, 2023 (XML)
Scott Jewett. No public record found.
David Jolly. In 2016, as a Republican member, sponsored the Stop Act to bar members from personally soliciting donations and publicly described party fundraising quotas, drawing a dispute with the NRCC. Older than 10 years, so at most 2 (E18).
Sources: CBS News, April 2016, Ballotpedia, David Jolly
Erik Morris. No public record found.
Frank J. Russo. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Dean Abrams. No public record found.
Kathy Anderson. No public record found.
Charles Burkett. No public record found.
Jeff Datto. No public record found.
Moliere Dimanche. No public record found.
Byron Donalds. His campaign challenged David Jolly to three 2026 general election debates, and he held an open student town hall at Florida A&M in September 2026. He declined to debate his Republican primary rivals.
Sources: Yahoo News, Sept. 24, 2026, WFSU, as published by WUSF, Oct. 4, 2026
Scott Jewett. No public record found.
David Jolly. Declined every 2026 general election debate with Byron Donalds, and Florida A&M canceled its planned debate. Took questions at the WLRN Sunshine Economy Summit and a Tampa Tiger Bay forum.
Sources: Yahoo News, Sept. 24, 2026, WMNF, Sept. 28, 2026, Florida Politics, as published by The Miami Times
Erik Morris. No public record found.
Frank J. Russo. No public record found.
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Dean Abrams. No public record found.
Kathy Anderson. No public record found.
Charles Burkett. Surfside mayor in 2006 to 2010 and again from 2020, including the 2021 Champlain Towers South collapse, with no formal conduct finding found.
Source: Miami New Times, July 21, 2021
Jeff Datto. No public record found.
Moliere Dimanche. No public record found.
Byron Donalds. State representative from 2016 and U.S. representative since 2021 with no censure, reprimand or conduct finding found. A 2026 civil suit is listed in the Record as open.
Source: Ballotpedia, Byron Donalds
Scott Jewett. No public record found.
David Jolly. Congressional staff, lobbyist and U.S. representative (2014 to 2017) with no censure, reprimand or conduct finding found.
Source: Ballotpedia, David Jolly
Erik Morris. No public record found.
Frank J. Russo. No public record found.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Dean Abrams. No public record found.
Kathy Anderson. No public record found.
Charles Burkett. Sworn mayor of Surfside for several terms with no official finding of misuse of office found.
Source: Miami New Times, July 21, 2021
Jeff Datto. No public record found.
Moliere Dimanche. No public record found.
Byron Donalds. Voted Yea on the House objections to Arizona and Pennsylvania electoral votes on Jan. 6 and 7, 2021. Under E2, a Yea on an objection to a state's certified electors is a 1.
Sources: House Clerk, Roll Call 10, Jan. 6, 2021, House Clerk, Roll Call 11, Jan. 7, 2021
Scott Jewett. No public record found.
David Jolly. Served in the U.S. House from March 2014 to January 2017 with no misuse-of-office finding; he left before the January 2017 electoral count, so no certification vote applies.
Source: GovTrack, David Jolly
Erik Morris. No public record found.
Frank J. Russo. No public record found.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Dean Abrams. No public record found.
Kathy Anderson. No public record found.
Charles Burkett. Elected mayor of Surfside, two terms from 2006 to 2010 and again from 2020.
Source: Miami New Times, July 21, 2021
Jeff Datto. No public record found.
Moliere Dimanche. No public record found.
Byron Donalds. U.S. representative for Florida District 19 since 2021, three terms, after four years in the Florida House (District 80, 2016 to 2020).
Sources: Ballotpedia, Byron Donalds, GovTrack, Byron Donalds
Scott Jewett. No public record found.
David Jolly. U.S. representative for Florida District 13 in the 113th and 114th Congresses (a 2014 special election and one full term), after 12 years on the staff of Rep. Bill Young.
Sources: Ballotpedia, David Jolly, Associated Press, as published by WCJB, June 5, 2025
Erik Morris. No public record found.
Frank J. Russo. No public record found.
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Dean Abrams. No public record found.
Kathy Anderson. No public record found.
Charles Burkett. States positions in general terms, such as eliminating homestead property taxes and rewriting insurance law.
Jeff Datto. No public record found.
Moliere Dimanche. No public record found.
Byron Donalds. Published a specific property insurance package, "Bring Down the Bill," with changes to the Florida Hurricane Catastrophic Fund surcharge, an insurer scorecard and the My Safe Florida Home program.
Source: WUSF, Sept. 17, 2026
Scott Jewett. Publishes positions in general terms in his Ballotpedia survey.
Source: Ballotpedia, Scott Jewett
David Jolly. Proposes a specific state catastrophic fund to take hurricane and wind coverage out of the private market, with stated funding sources. Served on the House Appropriations Committee.
Sources: WUSF, Sept. 17, 2026, Ballotpedia, David Jolly
Erik Morris. No public record found.
Frank J. Russo. No public record found.
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Dean Abrams. No public record found.
Kathy Anderson. No public record found.
Charles Burkett. Two channels: answered the Tampa Bay 28 candidate questionnaire and publishes a campaign site.
Sources: Tampa Bay 28 candidate questionnaire, 2026, Burkett for Governor
Jeff Datto. No public record found.
Moliere Dimanche. Three channels: completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey (2024), answered the Tampa Bay 28 candidate questionnaire (2026) and publishes a campaign site.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Moliere Dimanche, Tampa Bay 28 candidate questionnaire, 2026
Byron Donalds. Three channels documented: published policy packages, town halls and the WLRN Sunshine Economy Summit forum. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Sources: WUSF, Sept. 17, 2026, WFSU, as published by WUSF, Oct. 4, 2026, Florida Politics, as published by The Miami Times, Sept. 2026
Scott Jewett. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Source: Ballotpedia, Scott Jewett
David Jolly. Three channels documented: published proposals, the WLRN summit forum and a Tampa Tiger Bay question session. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Sources: WUSF, Sept. 17, 2026, WMNF, Sept. 28, 2026, Florida Politics, as published by The Miami Times
Erik Morris. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Source: Ballotpedia, Erik Morris
Frank J. Russo. No public record found.
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Dean Abrams. No public record found.
Kathy Anderson. No public record found.
Charles Burkett. Raised in Miami Beach and a Surfside resident since 1996, per his campaign biography; in-state share of contributions not available.
Source: Burkett for Governor, biography
Jeff Datto. No public record found.
Moliere Dimanche. No public record found.
Byron Donalds. Moved to Tallahassee in the 1990s for college and lives in Naples; Florida resident for more than 25 years. In-state share of state contributions not available from the sources opened.
Sources: PolitiFact, Aug. 27, 2025, Ballotpedia, Byron Donalds
Scott Jewett. No public record found.
David Jolly. Represented a Tampa Bay-area House district (2014 to 2017), documented local service. Birthplace and years of residence were not confirmed from an established source opened; in-state share not available.
Source: Associated Press, as published by WCJB, June 5, 2025
Erik Morris. No public record found.
Frank J. Russo. No public record found.
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Dean Abrams. No public record found.
Kathy Anderson. No public record found.
Charles Burkett. No public record found.
Jeff Datto. No public record found.
Moliere Dimanche. No public record found.
Byron Donalds. No FEC administrative fine found for his congressional campaigns. Florida Elections Commission orders sit on a separate index that could not be searched from here.
Source: FEC administrative fines search
Scott Jewett. No public record found.
David Jolly. No FEC administrative fine found for his congressional campaigns. Formerly executive director of the Serve America Movement before its 2022 merger into the Forward Party.
Sources: FEC administrative fines search, Ballotpedia, David Jolly
Erik Morris. No public record found.
Frank J. Russo. No public record found.
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Dean Abrams. No public record found.
Kathy Anderson. No public record found.
Charles Burkett. No public record found.
Jeff Datto. No public record found.
Moliere Dimanche. No public record found.
Byron Donalds. Center for Effective Lawmaking rated him Exceeds expectations for the 118th Congress (2023 to 2024), with one substantive bill becoming law.
Source: Center for Effective Lawmaking, House data file (93rd to 118th Congress)
Scott Jewett. No public record found.
David Jolly. Center for Effective Lawmaking rated him Below expectations in both the 113th and 114th Congresses, with no substantive bill becoming law.
Erik Morris. No public record found.
Frank J. Russo. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Dean Abrams. No public record found.
Kathy Anderson. No public record found.
Charles Burkett. No public record found.
Jeff Datto. No public record found.
Moliere Dimanche. No public record found.
Byron Donalds. Missed 189 of 2,915 roll call votes (6.5%) from January 2021 to September 2026, per GovTrack. Above 5 and up to 10 percent is a 1.
Source: GovTrack, Byron Donalds
Scott Jewett. No public record found.
David Jolly. Missed 77 of 1,763 roll call votes (4.4%) from March 2014 to December 2016, per GovTrack. Up to 5 percent is a 2.
Source: GovTrack, David Jolly
Erik Morris. No public record found.
Frank J. Russo. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Dean Abrams. No public record found.
Kathy Anderson. No public record found.
Charles Burkett. No public record found.
Jeff Datto. No public record found.
Moliere Dimanche. No public record found.
Byron Donalds. Runs district offices in Naples and Cape Coral and offers help with federal agencies. No published casework totals found.
Sources: Office of Rep. Byron Donalds, Offices, Office of Rep. Byron Donalds, Services
Scott Jewett. No public record found.
David Jolly. No public record found.
Erik Morris. No public record found.
Frank J. Russo. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Dean Abrams. No public record found.
Kathy Anderson. No public record found.
Charles Burkett. No public record found.
Jeff Datto. No public record found.
Moliere Dimanche. No public record found.
Byron Donalds. Ranked 267th in the House on the Lugar Center Bipartisan Index for 2023 (118th Congress, first session), a negative score outside the bottom quarter.
Source: Lugar Center and McCourt School, Bipartisan Index, House 2023
Scott Jewett. No public record found.
David Jolly. Ranked 48th in the House on the Lugar Center Bipartisan Index for the 114th Congress (2015 to 2016), score 0.64522, in the top quarter.
Source: Lugar Center and McCourt School, Bipartisan Index, House, 114th Congress
Erik Morris. No public record found.
Frank J. Russo. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Dean Abrams. No public record found.
Kathy Anderson. No public record found.
Charles Burkett. No public record found.
Jeff Datto. No public record found.
Moliere Dimanche. No public record found.
Byron Donalds. No public record found.
Scott Jewett. No public record found.
David Jolly. No public record found.
Erik Morris. No public record found.
Frank J. Russo. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 9, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the Florida governor's race?
David Jolly has the strongest record in the Florida governor's race. David Jolly scores 62 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Byron Donalds at 59, as of October 9, 2026. David Jolly's highest marks are relevant experience and coalition building. Byron Donalds's highest marks are relevant experience and results. Dean Abrams (1 of 15 criteria), Kathy Anderson (1 of 15 criteria), Charles Burkett (7 of 15 criteria), Jeff Datto (1 of 15 criteria), Moliere Dimanche (2 of 15 criteria), Scott Jewett (3 of 15 criteria), Erik Morris (2 of 15 criteria) and Frank J. Russo (1 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the Florida governor's race in 2026?
Dean Abrams (No Party Affiliation), Kathy Anderson (Write-in), Charles Burkett (No Party Affiliation), Jeff Datto (No Party Affiliation), Moliere Dimanche (No Party Affiliation), Byron Donalds (Republican), Scott Jewett (Libertarian), David Jolly (Democratic), Erik Morris (Write-in), Frank J. Russo (No Party Affiliation). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Dean Abrams a good candidate for Governor?
Dean Abrams has public evidence on 1 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Kathy Anderson a good candidate for Governor?
Kathy Anderson has public evidence on 1 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Charles Burkett a good candidate for Governor?
Charles Burkett has public evidence on 7 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Jeff Datto a good candidate for Governor?
Jeff Datto has public evidence on 1 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Moliere Dimanche a good candidate for Governor?
Moliere Dimanche has public evidence on 2 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Byron Donalds a good candidate for Governor?
Byron Donalds scores 59 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria: character 45 of 100, qualifications 75 of 100, performance 56 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Scott Jewett a good candidate for Governor?
Scott Jewett has public evidence on 3 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is David Jolly a good candidate for Governor?
David Jolly scores 62 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 75 of 100, performance 58 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Erik Morris a good candidate for Governor?
Erik Morris has public evidence on 2 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Frank J. Russo a good candidate for Governor?
Frank J. Russo has public evidence on 1 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Florida race scored, and the Florida 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.