Half of Florida Democrats Undecided on Governor Candidate

Voters remain unsure as race to replace DeSantis heats up

Apr. 17, 2026 at 11:01pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of a state capitol building in Florida, with the structure bathed in warm, golden sunlight and surrounded by deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and political uncertainty.The race to replace Florida's term-limited governor remains wide open, with voters still evaluating a crowded field of Democratic candidates.Daytona Beach Today

A new poll shows that nearly half of Democratic voters in Florida are undecided on who they will support in the upcoming gubernatorial election to replace outgoing Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. With the primary election just months away, the crowded field of Democratic candidates has yet to gain traction with a significant portion of the party's base.

Why it matters

The Florida governor's race is expected to be one of the most closely watched and high-stakes elections in the country, with national implications. The ability of the eventual Democratic nominee to unite the party and energize voters will be crucial in determining whether the party can flip the governor's mansion in a state that has trended Republican in recent years.

The details

According to the poll, conducted by the University of North Florida, 48% of Democratic voters in the state said they were undecided on a candidate. The leading contenders, including U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, and state Sen. Annette Taddeo, each garnered support from less than 20% of respondents. The poll surveyed 692 registered Florida voters between April 1-10, 2026.

  • The Florida gubernatorial primary election is scheduled for August 27, 2026.
  • Governor Ron DeSantis is term-limited and cannot run for re-election.

The players

Charlie Crist

U.S. Representative and former Republican Governor of Florida who is running as a Democrat.

Nikki Fried

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and a Democratic candidate for governor.

Annette Taddeo

State Senator and Democratic candidate for governor.

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What they’re saying

“This race is wide open, and voters are clearly still evaluating the candidates. The eventual nominee will need to work hard to unite the party and energize the base.”

— Dr. Michael Binder, Director of the Public Opinion Research Lab at the University of North Florida

What’s next

The Democratic primary election will be held on August 27, 2026, with the winner advancing to face the Republican nominee in the general election on November 5, 2026.

The takeaway

With a large number of undecided voters, the Democratic primary in Florida remains highly competitive. The eventual nominee will need to quickly build name recognition and support across the party's diverse base in order to mount an effective challenge to the Republican candidate in the general election.