The 2023 Florida gubernatorial election will be held on November 7, 2023, to elect the 47th governor of Florida. Incumbent Republican Governor Ron DeSantis is running for reelection to a second term. He is being challenged by Democrat Charlie Crist, a former governor of Florida and U.S. Representative, and Nikki Fried, the current Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Libertarian candidate Leonard French is also running.
The Democratic primary election will be held on August 22, 2023. Crist and Fried are the only two candidates who have qualified for the primary ballot. The Republican primary election will be held on the same day, but DeSantis is running unopposed.
The general election will be held on November 7, 2023. DeSantis is the heavy favorite to win reelection, but Crist and Fried are both well-known and experienced candidates. The race is expected to be close.
Who is Running for Governor in Florida 2023?
The 2023 Florida gubernatorial election will feature several candidates vying for the position of governor.
- Incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis (R)
- Former Governor Charlie Crist (D)
- Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D)
- Libertarian candidate Leonard French
- Republican primary on August 22, 2023
- Democratic primary on August 22, 2023
- General election on November 7, 2023
- DeSantis is the heavy favorite to win
- Race expected to be close
The outcome of the election will have a significant impact on the future of Florida.
Incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis (R)
Ron DeSantis is the current Governor of Florida, having been elected in 2018. He is a member of the Republican Party and is running for reelection in 2023.
DeSantis is a controversial figure, known for his conservative views on a variety of issues. He has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration and has implemented a number of policies that are seen as favorable to businesses and conservative voters. For example, he has signed legislation to restrict access to abortion, expand school choice, and lower taxes.
DeSantis is also a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump and has been mentioned as a potential presidential candidate in 2024. He has been endorsed by Trump and has campaigned with him on several occasions.
DeSantis is facing challenges from both within his own party and from Democrats. Some Republicans have criticized him for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, while Democrats have criticized him for his policies on abortion, gun control, and education.
Despite the challenges, DeSantis is considered to be the favorite to win reelection in 2023. He has a strong base of support among Republican voters and has outraised his Democratic opponents in fundraising.
Former Governor Charlie Crist (D)
Charlie Crist is a former Governor of Florida, having served from 2007 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party and is challenging incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis in the 2023 gubernatorial election.
Crist is a moderate Democrat who has held a variety of elected offices in Florida, including state senator, education commissioner, and attorney general. He is seen as a strong candidate who can appeal to both Democratic and independent voters.
Crist has campaigned on a platform of protecting abortion rights, expanding access to healthcare, and investing in education. He has also criticized DeSantis' handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his policies on guns and the environment.
Crist is facing an uphill battle in the 2023 election. DeSantis is a popular incumbent with a strong base of support among Republican voters. However, Crist is a well-known and experienced candidate who has a chance of winning if he can appeal to a broad coalition of voters.
The race between Crist and DeSantis is expected to be close. Both candidates have raised large sums of money and have strong organizations. The outcome of the election will have a significant impact on the future of Florida.
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D)
Nikki Fried is the current Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, having been elected in 2018. She is a member of the Democratic Party and is running for governor in 2023.
- First woman elected to statewide office in Florida as a Democrat in over a century.
Fried is a trailblazing candidate who has broken down barriers and made history.
- Strong advocate for environmental protection and climate action.
Fried has a plan to protect Florida's natural resources and combat climate change.
- Supporter of reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ equality.
Fried is a champion for the rights of all Floridians, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
- Experienced leader with a record of getting things done.
Fried has served as Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services since 2018, and she has a proven track record of success.
Fried is a strong candidate who is running on a platform of progressive values. She is challenging incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis, who is a popular Republican. The race between Fried and DeSantis is expected to be close. The outcome of the election will have a significant impact on the future of Florida.
Libertarian candidate Leonard French
Leonard French is a businessman and perennial candidate who is running for governor of Florida as a Libertarian. He has run for office numerous times in the past, including for U.S. Senate and President.
French is a strong advocate for individual liberty and limited government. He believes that the government should play a minimal role in people's lives and that individuals should be free to make their own choices.
French's platform includes a number of libertarian policies, such as:
- Legalizing marijuana
- Reducing taxes
- Deregulating businesses
- Abolishing the death penalty
- Expanding school choice
French is a long shot candidate in the 2023 gubernatorial election. However, he is running a spirited campaign and hopes to appeal to voters who are dissatisfied with the two major parties.
French's candidacy is significant because it gives voters an alternative to the Democratic and Republican candidates. He is also helping to raise awareness of libertarian ideas in Florida.
Republican primary on August 22, 2023
The Republican primary for governor of Florida will be held on August 22, 2023. Incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis is running for reelection and is the only candidate who has qualified for the ballot.
- DeSantis is a popular incumbent with a strong base of support among Republican voters.
He is seen as a rising star in the Republican Party and is considered a potential presidential candidate in 2024.
- DeSantis has outraised his potential challengers in fundraising.
He has a large campaign war chest and is well-positioned to win the Republican primary.
- No other Republican candidate has emerged as a serious challenger to DeSantis.
Several Republicans considered running for governor, but they ultimately decided not to enter the race.
- DeSantis is likely to win the Republican primary easily.
He is a strong candidate with a lot of support. Unless something unexpected happens, he should be the Republican nominee for governor in 2023.
The Republican primary is not expected to be competitive. DeSantis is the clear frontrunner and is likely to win the nomination easily. The focus will then shift to the general election, where DeSantis will face the Democratic nominee.
Democratic primary on August 22, 2023
The Democratic primary for governor of Florida will be held on August 22, 2023. Two candidates have qualified for the ballot: former Governor Charlie Crist and Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried.
- Crist is a well-known and experienced politician.
He served as governor of Florida from 2007 to 2011 and is a former U.S. Representative. He is seen as the frontrunner in the Democratic primary.
- Fried is a rising star in the Democratic Party.
She is the first woman elected to statewide office in Florida as a Democrat in over a century. She is a strong advocate for environmental protection and climate action.
- The Democratic primary is expected to be competitive.
Both Crist and Fried are strong candidates with a lot of support. The outcome of the primary could depend on a number of factors, including the economy, the national political climate, and the candidates' campaigns.
- The winner of the Democratic primary will face incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis in the general election.
DeSantis is a popular Republican and is considered the favorite to win reelection. However, the Democratic nominee could have a chance of winning if they can appeal to a broad coalition of voters.
The Democratic primary is an important race that will have a significant impact on the future of Florida. The outcome of the primary will determine who will challenge Governor DeSantis in the general election.
General election on November 7, 2023
The general election for governor of Florida will be held on November 7, 2023. The two candidates who will be on the ballot are the Republican incumbent, Governor Ron DeSantis, and the Democratic challenger, either Charlie Crist or Agriculture CommissionerNikki Fried, depending on who wins the Democratic primary.
DeSantis is a popular incumbent with a strong base of support among Republican voters. He is also a strong fundraiser and has outraised his Democratic opponent.
Crist or Fried will be the Democratic challenger. Crist is a well-known and experienced candidate, while Fried is a rising star in the Democratic Party. The Democratic primary is expected to be competitive and the winner will have a chance of winning the general election if they can appeal to a broad base of voters.
The general election is expected to be close. DeSantis is the favorite, but Crist or Fried could have a chance of winning if they can appeal to a broad base of voters. The outcome of the election will have a significant impact on the future of Florida.
The general election for governor of Florida is an important race that will have a significant impact on the future of the state. The outcome of the election will determine who will lead Florida for the next four years.
DeSantis is the heavy favorite to win
Incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis is the heavy favorite to win the 2023 Florida gubernatorial election. There are a number of reasons for this:
- DeSantis is a popular incumbent.
He has high approval ratings and is well-liked by Republican voters. He is also seen as a rising star in the Republican Party and is considered a potential presidential candidate in 2024.
- DeSantis has a strong base of support.
He is popular with Republican voters, conservative independents, and even some moderate Democrats. He has also been endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
- DeSantis has a lot of money.
He has outraised his Democratic opponent and has a large campaign war chest. This will allow him to run a well-funded campaign and get his message out to voters.
- The Democratic Party is divided.
The two Democratic candidates, Charlie Crist and Nikki Fried, are competing for the same voters. This could make it difficult for either of them to win the general election.
Of course, anything can happen in politics. However, DeSantis is the clear frontrunner in the 2023 Florida gubernatorial election. He has a number of advantages over his Democratic opponent and is likely to win reelection.
Race expected to be close
While DeSantis is the heavy favorite to win the 2023 Florida gubernatorial election, the race is still expected to be close. There are a number of reasons for this:
- Charlie Crist and Nikki Fried are both strong candidates.
They are both well-known and experienced politicians who have a lot of support among Democratic voters. They are also both strong fundraisers and have the resources to run competitive campaigns.
- The Democratic Party is united behind its nominee.
Unlike the Republican Party, which has a number of candidates running for governor, the Democratic Party is united behind its nominee. This will give the Democratic nominee a significant advantage in the general election.
- The national political climate could help the Democratic nominee.
If the economy is doing poorly or if President Biden is unpopular, this could help the Democratic nominee in the Florida gubernatorial election. Conversely, if the economy is doing well and President Biden is popular, this could help DeSantis.
- Anything can happen in politics.
There is always the possibility of a surprise or unexpected event that could change the outcome of the election. For example, if DeSantis makes a major gaffe or if a scandal erupts, this could hurt his chances of winning.
Overall, the 2023 Florida gubernatorial election is expected to be close. DeSantis is the favorite, but Crist or Fried could have a chance of winning if they can appeal to a broad base of voters.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the 2023 Florida gubernatorial election:
Question 1: Who is running for governor of Florida in 2023?
Answer: The candidates for governor of Florida in 2023 are:
- Ron DeSantis (R) (incumbent)
- Charlie Crist (D)
- Nikki Fried (D)
- Leonard French (L)
Question 2: When is the election?
Answer: The general election will be held on November 7, 2023.
Question 3: Who is the favorite to win?
Answer: Incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis is the heavy favorite to win reelection.
Question 4: What are the key issues in the race?
Answer: The key issues in the race are likely to be the economy, education, and healthcare.
Question 5: How can I register to vote?
Answer: You can register to vote online, by mail, or in person at your local Supervisor of Elections office. The deadline to register to vote is October 11, 2023.
Question 6: Where can I find more information about the election?
Answer: You can find more information about the election on the Florida Division of Elections website.
Question 7: What is the difference between a primary election and a general election?
Answer: A primary election is an election held by a political party to select its candidate for the general election. The general election is the election in which all voters can vote for the candidate of their choice.
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These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about the 2023 Florida gubernatorial election. For more information, please visit the Florida Division of Elections website.
Now that you know more about the election, here are some tips for voting in Florida:
Tips
Here are four tips for voting in Florida:
1. Register to vote early.
The deadline to register to vote in Florida is October 11, 2023. However, it is best to register early to avoid any problems. You can register to vote online, by mail, or in person at your local Supervisor of Elections office.
2. Find your polling place.
You can find your polling place on the Florida Division of Elections website. You can also call your local Supervisor of Elections office to find out where your polling place is.
3. Bring the correct ID to the polls.
You will need to bring a valid photo ID to the polls in order to vote. Acceptable forms of ID include a driver's license, a state-issued ID card, or a passport.
4. Know your rights.
You have the right to vote in private and to have your vote counted. If you are experiencing any problems at the polls, you can ask for assistance from a poll worker.
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By following these tips, you can help ensure that your vote is counted in the 2023 Florida gubernatorial election.
Now that you know how to vote in Florida, it is important to get out and vote on November 7, 2023. Your vote matters!
Conclusion
The 2023 Florida gubernatorial election is an important race that will have a significant impact on the future of the state. Incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis is the heavy favorite to win reelection, but Charlie Crist and Nikki Fried are both strong candidates who could have a chance of winning if they can appeal to a broad base of voters.
The key issues in the race are likely to be the economy, education, and healthcare. DeSantis is a popular incumbent with a strong base of support, but he is also a controversial figure who has been criticized for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his policies on abortion, gun control, and education.
Crist and Fried are both well-known and experienced politicians who have a lot of support among Democratic voters. They are also both strong fundraisers and have the resources to run competitive campaigns.
The outcome of the election will depend on a number of factors, including the economy, the national political climate, and the candidates' campaigns. However, DeSantis is the clear frontrunner and is likely to win reelection.
Regardless of who wins the election, it is important for all eligible voters to participate in the democratic process and cast their ballot on November 7, 2023.