Donalds, Renner, Fishback Join 2026 Florida Governor's Race

Three Republicans — U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, and conservative activist James Fishback — formally entered the 2026 Florida governor's race Tuesday, each paying the $8,480 qualifying fee required to appear on the primary ballot.

The filings mark a significant early acceleration in what is shaping up as a competitive open-seat contest. Gov. Ron DeSantis is term-limited and cannot seek re-election, making next year's race the first without an incumbent Florida governor on the Republican primary ballot since 2010.

For Treasure Coast voters, the race carries particular weight. Donalds represents Florida's 19th Congressional District in Southwest Florida and has built a national profile as a close ally of former President Donald Trump. Renner, a Palm Coast Republican, served as House Speaker through the 2024 session and oversaw legislation that directly affected Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties, including property insurance reform and environmental spending tied to Indian River Lagoon restoration. Fishback, founder of the conservative nonprofit Firebrand, has campaigned heavily on education and anti-"woke" policy themes that have driven Florida Republican politics for the past four years.

On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz also qualified Tuesday. She is listed as a challenger rather than an incumbent because she is running in the redrawn Congressional District 20 rather than in District 22, which she currently holds — a distinction that reflects the continued reshaping of Florida's political map following the 2022 redistricting cycle.

The qualifying period continues, and the field is expected to grow. A general election matchup in November 2026 will ultimately determine who succeeds DeSantis in the state's top executive office — a decision that will set the direction of Florida policy on housing costs, water quality, and disaster preparedness for years to come.

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