Florida Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo Weighs Potential Run for Governor in 2026
With Florida’s 2026 gubernatorial election on the horizon, State Senator Jason Pizzo is considering a run for the state’s top office. Though he hasn’t officially declared his candidacy, Pizzo, who is set to assume leadership of the Florida Senate Democrats in just a few months, has hinted that he might be the candidate his party needs.
In a recent interview, Pizzo emphasized that his current focus is on the next two years as Senate Democratic leader. He highlighted the pressing issues facing Florida after the November elections but acknowledged he’s thought about the possibility of running for governor when Ron DeSantis steps down due to term limits.
“There’s definitely a path for someone like me to win,” Pizzo said. “When I weigh the pros and cons, I think I would give Democrats their best shot.”
Although he admits it’s too early to make concrete plans for the 2026 race, Pizzo has already considered what a campaign might look like. He’s critical of the current crop of potential Democratic candidates, stating that he’s "not thrilled with our bench."
One of his concerns is the large pool of Florida voters registered as no party affiliation (NPA), which now totals 3.5 million of the state’s 13.7 million registered voters. According to Pizzo, these voters are searching for something new and are open to exploring alternatives to the same candidates the Democratic Party has been offering in recent cycles.
“They’d love to see something fresh and different,” he remarked. Pizzo voiced frustration with familiar faces repeatedly running for office, urging his party to move away from recycling the same candidates.
While Republicans hold a nearly one million voter advantage in registrations over Democrats, Pizzo believes the party's struggles go beyond the numbers. He pointed out that even when Democrats held a significant voter registration lead, they still failed to win the governor’s office.
The 2026 governor’s race remains far off, and Pizzo insists he’s focused on his immediate responsibilities as Senate Democratic leader. However, his remarks indicate that Florida’s political landscape could shift if he decides to make a bid for governor in the coming years. For now, Pizzo is leaving the door open.
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