Florida's Latest News

Scott Franklin, Anna Paulina Luna, and Brian Mast lead a veterans' coalition backing Byron Donalds for Governor

Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds’ campaign just launched a veterans coalition led by three congressional peers.

U.S. Reps. Scott Franklin, Anna Paulina Luna, and Brian Mast serve as Co-Chairs of the Veterans for Byron Coalition, along with state Sen. Bryan Ávila and state Reps. Jon Albert, Yvette Benarroch, Mike Giallombardo, and Sam Greco. All of those Republican lawmakers previously served in the military.

“Having served more than 12 years in the U.S. Army, including under the Joint Special Operations Command, I know an America First fighter when I see one,” said Mast, a Treasure Coast Republican.

“Byron Donalds is tough, smart, and relentless — he will never stop fighting for everything America First stands for. I stand 100% with President (Donald) Trump: Byron Donalds is the fighter we need to lead Florida’s next chapter.”

Trump endorsed Donalds for Governor ahead of the Naples Republicans’ official campaign launch earlier this year.

Race for next Florida governor hits 27 candidates. See list of those seeking to replace DeSantis

Let the campaign begin.

Come to think of it, it's already started, and Florida's gubernatorial race is no exception.

Current Gov. Ron DeSantis will not be able to run again in 2026 due to term limits, and more than 20 candidates have filed with the Florida Division of Elections to replace him in the governor's mansion in the November 2026 election.

The most recent candidate is former House Speaker Paul Renner, who filed to run this morning, Sept. 3.

Others have announced they intend to run but haven't yet filed the required paperwork.

Here's a breakdown of who's running for Florida governor.

DeSantis was first elected in 2018 and began his term in office on Jan. 8, 2019. He was re-elected by a landslide in 2022.

'A great honor': FSU trustees re-elect Peter Collins to serve as the board's chair

All of Florida State University’s Board of Trustees members agree that the board’s chair, Peter Collins, continues to be the right person for the job.

The FSU College of Business alumnus was re-elected to serve as chair, which marks his third term in the role – after a unanimous vote during an Aug. 29 Board of Trustees meeting at the Turnbull Conference Center on campus. 

"It's a great honor,” Collins said during the meeting. “I love the board, I love the university, and I love being able to lead such a great group of people. It’s not even really leading – it's participating with you guys. I appreciate it.” 

At the same time, he noted that his next couple of years as chair will be his last term, which will bring him to a total of six years of serving in the capacity since each term lasts two years. A previous vote was made a few months ago to elect FSU trustee Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz as the board's vice chair.

Governor appoints Polk sheriff's chief of staff to Polk State College board of trustees

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Steve Lester of Winter Haven to fill an opening on the Polk State College board of trustees.

Lester is chief of staff for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, serving as second-in-command to Sheriff Grady Judd. Lester is a Distinguished Alumnus of Polk State, having received an Associate in Science in Criminology in 1982 and an Associate in Arts in 1983, according to a Polk State news release.

He also holds a Bachelor of Science in criminology from the University of Florida and a Master of Public Administration from Troy University.

Lester joined the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in 1986 as a detention deputy sheriff and rose to become chief commander for the Department of Detention before his appointment as chief of staff in 2010. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the release said.