Byron Donalds (Republican), David Jolly (Democrat), Scott Jewett (Libertarian), Dean Abrams (independent), Charles Burkett (independent), Jeff Datto (independent), Moliere Dimanche (independent) and Frank Russo (independent) are the candidates for governor of Florida in the November 3, 2026 general election. Semblen has analyzed 43 ads in this race; 21 used at least one manipulation technique, most often glittering generalities and loaded language. Next date for voters: Last day to request a mail ballot: Thu, Oct 22.
Byron Donalds (REP), David Jolly (DEM), Scott Jewett (LIB), Dean Abrams (IND), Charles Burkett (IND), Jeff Datto (IND), Moliere Dimanche (IND), Frank Russo (IND). On the ballot as listed by Florida Division of Elections, candidate listing 2026 General Election, Governor. 43 ads analyzed, 21 with at least one technique in the copy. Newest first. The paid-for-by line is the advertiser's own filing. Updated 2026-10-08. 3 ads from other advertisers shown separately below.
From Florida's official election office. Each line links to the official page it came from.
Next: Last day to request a mail ballot: Thu, Oct 22 (in 14 days)
| Registration | Register by Mon, Oct 5 (29 days before the election) (passed)Source: dos.fl.gov ↗Source: dos.fl.gov ↗ |
|---|---|
| Early voting in person | Sat, Oct 24 to Sat, Oct 31 (Mandatory start date (10th day before). Counties may start as early as Oct 19 (15th day before).)Source: dos.fl.gov ↗Source: dos.fl.gov ↗ |
| By mail | Anyone can vote by mail; request a ballot by Thu, Oct 22 (5 pm on the 12th day before the election. This is the deadline for a ballot to be mailed.); return it by Tue, Nov 3 (Received by 7 pm local time on Election Day; the postmark does not count)Source: dos.fl.gov ↗ |
| Election Day | Tue, Nov 3. Polls: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local timeSource: dos.fl.gov ↗ |
| ID at the polls | Current, valid photo ID with signatureSource: dos.fl.gov ↗ |
Checked October 6, 2026. Rules can change; confirm with the official site before you go.
A person reads every report and fixes errors the same day.
As of 2026-10-08. Counts are of distinct ads; the same text run many times is one ad.
A small box with these findings and the newest ads, updated as new ads are analyzed. Free for newsrooms, blogs and campaigns alike; it links back here.
An email when new ads come in from either side or the outside groups: the techniques, the words doing the work, and who paid. And each debate's analysis the morning after. One-click unsubscribe.
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| Paid for by | Ads | With at least one technique | Most common |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friends of Byron Donalds PAC | 20 | 14 of 20 (70%) | Glittering Generalities (12), Appeal to Prejudice (7), Appeal to Fear (6) |
| DEMOCRATIC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF FLORIDA | 7 | 4 of 7 | Loaded Language (4), Bandwagon Appeal (3), Conspiracy Appeal (3) |
| The Fair Cost Project | 6 | 0 of 6 | |
| David Jolly for Governor | 4 | 3 of 4 | Glittering Generalities (3), Bandwagon Appeal (1), False Urgency (1) |
| Byron Donalds for Governor | 3 | 0 of 3 | |
| American Independent Foundation | 2 | 0 of 2 | |
| CCN Florida | 1 | 0 of 1 |
Not everyone would call every technique manipulation. Untick the ones you'd call ordinary persuasion and the count updates.
49% of the 43 ads here use at least one of the techniques ticked below (21 ads).
Leaving out the softer ones (loaded language, glittering generalities, slogans, exaggeration, repetition): 47% of ads.
The words that show up most in phrases our model flagged as loaded language or name calling in this race's ads, by number of ads.
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Candidates for governor report their fundraising to Florida's state campaign-finance office, not the FEC. This page doesn't cover those reports yet, so it shows no money figures.
43 ads, newest first.
Showing the 1 ad paid for by CCN Florida. Show all 43 ads
Florida Republicans are coming together in Tampa! Governor Ron DeSantis will host a major Leadership Forum with Byron Donalds and statewide Republican leaders as the party turns its focus toward November. What message will they deliver about Florida’s future?
An email when new ads come in from either side or the outside groups: the techniques, the words doing the work, and who paid. And each debate's analysis the morning after. One-click unsubscribe.
Semblen LLC · 5900 Balcones Drive STE 100, Austin, TX 78731
Paid posts that ran in FL and name a candidate, from advertisers that aren't part of this race: news-style pages, campaigns for other offices, and others. They're shown here for completeness and not counted with the ads above. We show the same technique analysis; their claims are not checked.
Florida Daily: news-style page
Fact Check: Would David Jolly’s Insurance Plan Cost Florida Families $1,000 a Year?
Florida Daily: news-style page
#DataCenters & Byron Donalds vs. David Jolly. We Discuss the Latest
Florida Daily: news-style page
Should Byron Donalds Be Worried About David Jolly in the Governor's Race, or Will Donalds Coast to an Easy Win?
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