2018 Florida gubernatorial election
The 2018 Florida gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 2018, to elect the next governor of Florida, alongside an [2018 United States Senate election Mike Huckabee presidential campaign, 2016|in Florida|election] to the United States Senate, [2018 United States House of Representatives 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida|elections in Florida|elections] to the United States House of Representatives and other state and local elections. Incumbent two-term Republican Governor Rick Scott was term-limited and could not run for a third term, and he successfully ran for Florida's Class I Senate seat.
Republican U.S. representative Ron DeSantis narrowly defeated Democratic mayor of Tallahassee Andrew Gillum for the governorship, in what some considered an upset. The candidate filing deadline was June 22, 2018, and primary elections were held on August 28. Florida uses a closed primary process, in which the selection of each party's candidates for a general election is limited to registered members of that party; Gillum won the Democratic primary and DeSantis the Republican primary.
The close margin mandated a machine recount, which had a deadline of November 15, 2018. After the recount was complete, DeSantis was certified as the winner. Gillum conceded on November 17. DeSantis's victory marked the sixth straight election in which Florida elected a Republican to the governorship, and the third in a row that neither candidate received over 50% of the vote. With a margin of 0.4%, this election was the closest race of the 2018 gubernatorial election cycle. Gillum became the first Democrat to win Duval County since 1986 and Seminole County since 1990, while DeSantis became the first Republican gubernatorial candidate to win Jefferson County since 1884.
Republican primary
Nominee
- Ron DeSantis, U.S. representative from the 6th district and Iraq War veteran
Eliminated in primary
- Don Baldauf, contractor
- Timothy Devine, candidate for governor of Florida in 2014
- Bob Langford, attorney
- John Joseph Mercadante, Republican National Committee official
- Bruce Nathan, physical therapist and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2016
- Adam Putnam, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and former U.S. representative
- Bob White, chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida
Withdrawn
- Issak Almaleh, notary
- Frederick Buntin, incarcerated felon
- Usha Jain, medical director
- Jack Latvala, former Florida state senator
- Armando Adames Rivas, banker
- Angel Rivera, businessman, political strategist
- Nathan Dale Wilson
Declined
- Jeff Atwater, former chief financial officer of Florida
- Pam Bondi, Florida Attorney General
- Richard Corcoran, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives
- John Delaney, former mayor of Jacksonville
- Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas and candidate for president in 2008 and in 2016
- Francis Rooney, U.S. representative
- Marco Rubio, U.S. senator from Florida and candidate for president in 2016
- Will Weatherford, former speaker of the Florida House of Representatives
Polling
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Richard Corcoran | Ron DeSantis | Jack Latvala | Adam Putnam | Bob White | Other | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | August 21–25, 2018 | 579 | ± 4.1% | – | 39% | – | 27% | 6% | 4% | 23% |
| St. Pete Polls | August 22–23, 2018 | 2,141 | ± 2.1% | – | 56% | – | 33% | 3% | – | 8% |
| Gravis Marketing | August 21–22, 2018 | 321 | ± 5.5% | – | 39% | – | 24% | 6% | 4% | 26% |
| Florida Atlantic University | August 16–20, 2018 | 222 | ± 6.5% | – | 32% | – | 31% | 2% | 13% | 22% |
| Saint Leo University | August 10–16, 2018 | 172 | – | – | 41% | – | 52% | – | 5% | – |
| SurveyUSA | August 10–13, 2018 | 558 | ± 5.2% | – | 40% | – | 38% | 2% | 5% | 16% |
| North Star Opinion Research | August 5–7, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | – | 50% | – | 30% | – | – | – |
| Mason-Dixon | July 23–25, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.5% | – | 41% | – | 29% | 0% | 2% | 28% |
| Florida Atlantic University | July 20–21, 2018 | 262 | ± 6.0% | – | 36% | – | 27% | 3% | 12% | 23% |
| Clearview Research | July 14–19, 2018 | 700 | ± 4.0% | – | 38% | – | 39% | – | – | 23% |
| St. Pete Polls | July 16–17, 2018 | 1,709 | ± 2.4% | – | 50% | – | 30% | 4% | – | 17% |
| Gravis Marketing | July 13–14, 2018 | 905 | ± 3.3% | – | 35% | – | 29% | 4% | 4% | 25% |
| Fabrizio, Lee and Associates | July 8–12, 2018 | 349 | ± 5.2% | – | 42% | – | 30% | – | – | 27% |
| Remington | July 2–5, 2018 | 2,826 | ± 1.8% | – | 43% | – | 26% | – | – | 25% |
| 1892 Polling | July 2, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.4% | – | 47% | – | 28% | – | – | 25% |
| Marist College | June 17–21, 2018 | 326 | ± 6.7% | – | 21% | – | 38% | – | 3% | 39% |
| Fox News | June 15–19, 2018 | 901 | ± 3.0% | – | 17% | – | 32% | 3% | 5% | 39% |
| Gravis Marketing | May 31 – June 15, 2018 | 543 | ± 4.2% | 4% | 19% | – | 29% | 5% | – | 43% |
| Cherry Communications | June 7–9, 2018 | 501 | ± 5.3% | – | 15% | – | 32% | – | 5% | 48% |
| Saint Leo University | May 25–31, 2018 | 175 | – | – | 13% | – | 35% | – | 9% | 44% |
| Florida Atlantic University | May 4–7, 2018 | 371 | ± 5.0% | – | 16% | – | 15% | 3% | 24% | 43% |
| 1892 Polling | April 19–23, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.4% | 7% | 30% | – | 23% | – | – | 40% |
| 1892 Polling | April 19–23, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.4% | – | 30% | – | 26% | – | – | 44% |
| Gravis Marketing | February 26 – March 19, 2018 | – | – | 3% | 19% | 0% | 17% | 0% | – | 60% |
| North Star Opinion Research | March 12–15, 2018 | 600 | – | <6% | 21% | – | 19% | – | – | – |
| North Star Opinion Research | March 12–15, 2018 | 600 | – | – | 28% | – | 23% | – | – | – |
| Saint Leo University | February 18–24, 2018 | 175 | – | 7% | 14% | 3% | 15% | 5% | 9% | 46% |
| Gravis Marketing | February 1–18, 2018 | – | – | 3% | 16% | 0% | 18% | 2% | – | 61% |
| Mason-Dixon | January 29 – February 1, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 7% | 23% | – | 27% | – | – | 43% |
| Remington | December 30–31, 2017 | 1,423 | ± 2.6% | 3% | 28% | – | 25% | – | – | 44% |
| Gravis Marketing | December 19–24, 2017 | – | – | 2% | 12% | 2% | 23% | 1% | – | 60% |
| Saint Leo University | November 19–24, 2017 | 166 | – | 2% | 5% | 2% | 15% | 4% | 10% | 63% |
| Cherry Communications | September 17–24, 2017 | 256 | – | 1% | 9% | 2% | 26% | – | 3% | 59% |
| Saint Leo University | September 10–16, 2017 | 173 | – | 4% | 7% | 2% | 20% | 2% | 11% | 44% |
| Florida Atlantic University | August 24–26, 2017 | 304 | ± 6.5% | 10% | 9% | 2% | 27% | – | – | 53% |
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Jeff Atwater | Rick Baker | Pam Bondi | Richard Corcoran | Mike Huckabee | Usha Jain | David Jolly | Jack Latvala | Adam Putnam | Will Weatherford | Other | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | March 28–29, 2017 | – | – | – | 2% | – | 5% | – | – | 5% | 4% | 21% | – | – | 63% |
| Saint Leo University | March 3–11, 2017 | 175 | – | – | 6% | – | 5% | 30% | 2% | – | 3% | 13% | – | 8% | 34% |
| Associated Industries of Florida | February 14–17, 2017 | 800 | ± 3.5% | – | – | – | 4% | – | – | – | – | 22% | – | – | 71% |
| Cherry Communications | December 3–8, 2016 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 22% | – | – | 64% |
| Saint Leo University | November 27–30, 2016 | – | – | 5% | 1% | – | 2% | 32% | – | – | – | 6% | 1% | 7% | 47% |
| StPetePolls.org | August 2, 2016 | 1,835 | ± 2.3% | 7% | 3% | 26% | 1% | 37% | – | – | – | 8% | 1% | 7% | 12% |
Democratic primary
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
- Gwen Graham, former U.S. representative and daughter of former U.S. senator and former governor Bob Graham
- Jeff Greene, real estate billionaire and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010
- Chris King, entrepreneur and founder of Elevation Financial Group
- Philip Levine, former mayor of Miami Beach
- Alex Lundmark, real estate agent
- John Wetherbee, entrepreneur
Withdrew
- Henry E. Davis, judge
- Richard Paul Dembinsky, candidate for U.S. representative in 2016 and candidate for governor in 2006
- Lucretia Fordyce, activist
- Josue Larose, perennial candidate
- Brooke Russell Locke Marx, notary
- Louis McClanahan, plant operator
Declined
- Bob Buckhorn, mayor of Tampa
- Kathy Castor, U.S. representative
- Charlie Crist, U.S. representative, former governor of Florida, and nominee for governor in 2014
- Buddy Dyer, mayor of Orlando
- Rick Kriseman, mayor of St. Petersburg
- John Morgan, lawyer and medical marijuana advocate
- Patrick Murphy, former U.S. representative and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2016
- Bill Nelson, U.S. senator
- Jeremy Ring, former Florida state senator
- Jack Seiler, mayor of Fort Lauderdale
Polling
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Andrew Gillum | Gwen Graham | Jeff Greene | Chris King | Philip Levine | Other | Undecided |
| St. Pete Polls | August 25–26, 2018 | 2,342 | ± 2.0% | 25% | 32% | 11% | 2% | 22% | 4% | 5% |
| Gravis Marketing | August 21–25, 2018 | 531 | ± 4.3% | 16% | 26% | 19% | 5% | 18% | – | 17% |
| Gravis Marketing | August 21–22, 2018 | 308 | ± 5.6% | 15% | 26% | 19% | 5% | 18% | – | 17% |
| Schroth, Eldon and Associates | August 19–21, 2018 | 669 | ± 3.8% | 18% | 25% | 13% | 2% | 26% | – | 15% |
| Florida Atlantic University | August 16–20, 2018 | 280 | ± 6.3% | 11% | 29% | 11% | 10% | 17% | 3% | 19% |
| Change Research | August 18–19, 2018 | 1,178 | – | 33% | 22% | 10% | – | 22% | – | – |
| St. Pete Polls | August 18–19, 2018 | 2,202 | ± 2.1% | 21% | 27% | 15% | 3% | 25% | 4% | 6% |
| Saint Leo University | August 10–16, 2018 | 188 | – | 15% | 31% | 17% | 5% | 22% | 4% | – |
| Schroth, Eldon and Associates | August 11–14, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 15% | 24% | 13% | 3% | 27% | – | 18% |
| SurveyUSA | August 10–13, 2018 | 631 | ± 5.2% | 11% | 22% | 16% | 3% | 22% | 2% | 24% |
| Public Policy Polling | August 5–6, 2018 | 572 | – | 13% | 26% | 16% | 4% | 22% | – | 19% |
| ALG Research | July 29 – August 2, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.4% | 10% | 33% | 13% | 3% | 17% | – | 23% |
| St. Pete Polls | July 30–31, 2018 | 1,652 | ± 2.4% | 12% | 29% | 23% | 3% | 19% | 4% | 9% |
| Mason-Dixon | July 23–25, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 10% | 27% | 12% | 7% | 18% | 1% | 25% |
| Florida Atlantic University | July 20–21, 2018 | 271 | ± 5.9% | 7% | 20% | 14% | 9% | 16% | 3% | 31% |
| Associated Industries of Florida | July 16–18, 2018 | 800 | – | 12% | 24% | 13% | 4% | 16% | – | – |
| Frederick Polls | July 2018 | 506 | – | 15% | 28% | 23% | 7% | 27% | – | – |
| St. Pete Polls | July 14–15, 2018 | 1,314 | ± 2.7% | 10% | 22% | 22% | 3% | 19% | 1% | 25% |
| Gravis Marketing | July 13–14, 2018 | 1,540 | ± 2.5% | 10% | 27% | 18% | – | 17% | – | 27% |
| Marist College | June 17–21, 2018 | 344 | ± 6.5% | 8% | 17% | 4% | 3% | 19% | 1% | 47% |
| RABA Research | June 15–16, 2018 | 660 | ± 3.8% | 8% | 26% | 3% | 15% | 27% | – | 21% |
| Gravis Marketing | May 31 – June 15, 2018 | 485 | ± 4.5% | 29% | 24% | – | 3% | 17% | – | 27% |
| Let's Preserve the American Dream | June 6–9, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.1% | 11% | 21% | 3% | 4% | 24% | – | 37% |
| Schroth, Eldon and Associates | June 3–5, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 11% | 16% | 4% | 6% | 32% | – | 31% |
| Saint Leo University | May 25–31, 2018 | 195 | – | 10% | 14% | – | 6% | 14% | 9% | 47% |
| Public Policy Polling | May 21–22, 2018 | 583 | – | 12% | 20% | – | 6% | 30% | – | 33% |
| Change Research | May 8–11, 2018 | 1,107 | ± 3.0% | 13% | 13% | – | 3% | 20% | – | 52% |
| Florida Atlantic University | May 4–7, 2018 | 372 | ± 3.0% | 6% | 15% | – | 10% | 16% | 11% | 42% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 10–11, 2018 | 491 | – | 8% | 23% | – | 4% | 29% | – | 36% |
| Public Policy Polling | March 23–25, 2018 | 613 | – | 8% | 19% | – | 5% | 22% | – | 46% |
| Gravis Marketing | February 26 – March 19, 2018 | – | – | 11% | 9% | 2% | 2% | 13% | – | 64% |
| Saint Leo University | February 18–24, 2018 | 190 | – | 10% | 17% | 5% | 7% | 8% | 3% | 50% |
| Gravis Marketing | February 1–18, 2018 | – | – | 9% | 12% | 1% | 2% | 12% | – | 63% |
| Mason-Dixon | January 29 – February 1, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 10% | 20% | – | 4% | 17% | – | 49% |
| Gravis Marketing | December 19–24, 2017 | – | – | 12% | 18% | 2% | 3% | 6% | – | 60% |
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bob Buckhorn | Kathy Castor | Buddy Dyer | Andrew Gillum | Gwen Graham | Jeff Greene | Grant Hill | Chris King | Philip Levine | John Morgan | Patrick Murphy | Jeremy Ring | Katherine Fernandez Rundle | Jack Seiler | Other | Undecided |
| Frederick Polls | April 23–28, 2018 | 750 | ± 3.6% | – | – | – | 6% | 14% | – | – | 2% | 20% | – | 14% | – | – | – | – | 44% |
| Saint Leo University | November 19–24, 2017 | 181 | – | – | 2% | – | 6% | 9% | 2% | 2% | 3% | 2% | 13% | – | – | 5% | – | 2% | 53% |
| Cherry Communications | September 17–24, 2017 | 263 | – | – | – | – | 6% | 16% | – | – | 2% | 4% | 23% | – | – | – | – | 4% | 44% |
| Saint Leo University | September 10–16, 2017 | 190 | – | – | 3% | – | 5% | 7% | 1% | 4% | 4% | 1% | 12% | 13% | – | 5% | – | 3% | 44% |
| Florida Atlantic University | August 24–26, 2017 | 297 | ± 6.5% | – | – | – | 9% | 14% | – | – | 4% | 8% | 19% | – | – | – | – | – | 47% |
| Gravis Marketing | April 4–10, 2017 | – | – | – | – | – | 13% | 11% | 1% | – | – | 3% | – | 14% | – | – | – | 3% | 55% |
| Gravis Marketing | March 28–29, 2017 | – | – | – | – | – | 23% | 8% | 0% | – | – | 1% | 9% | 24% | – | – | – | – | 36% |
| Saint Leo University | March 3–11, 2017 | 203 | – | 3% | 5% | 6% | 4% | 4% | – | – | – | 5% | 9% | 20% | 2% | – | 2% | 4% | 40% |
| Cherry Communications | December 3–8, 2016 | – | – | 5% | – | – | 8% | 16% | – | – | – | 5% | 15% | – | – | – | – | 4% | 45% |
| Saint Leo University | November 27–30, 2016 | – | – | 5% | 4% | 5% | – | 5% | – | – | – | 3% | 20% | – | 1% | – | 1% | 7% | 49% |
Independent and third party candidates
Reform Party
Declared
Libertarian Party
Withdrawn
- Riquet Caballero, banker and Afro-Cuban activist
- Randy Wiseman, former chair of the Lake County School Board, candidate for state representative in 2004, and candidate for mayor of Mount Dora in 2013
Constitution party
Withdrawn
Independents
Declared
- Ryan Christopher Foley, former emergency medical technician
- Kyle "KC" Gibson, pastor
- Bruce Stanley, environmental activist
Declined
- Grant Hill, former professional basketball player
- John Morgan, lawyer and medical marijuana advocate
- Ellen Marie Wilds, JPO supervisor ''''
General election
Debates
First debate
The first debate, moderated by CNN's Jake Tapper, was hosted on October 21, 2018, at WEDU, Tampa, Florida. It was an hour long debate featuring topics like climate change, minimum wage, health care, gun control, the NRA, DeSantis's "monkey up" comment and President Donald Trump being a role model for children.This debate was held a day before early voting started in Florida on October 22, 2018.
Second debate
The second debate occurred on October 24, 2018, and was hosted in Weston, Florida. It was moderated by Leadership Florida and the Florida Press Association.Polling
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Ron DeSantis | Andrew Gillum | Other | Undecided |
| The Trafalgar Group | November 4–5, 2018 | 1,484 | ± 2.5% | 50% | 47% | 1% | 2% |
| HarrisX | November 3–5, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 46% | 49% | – | – |
| St. Pete Polls | November 3–4, 2018 | 3,088 | ± 1.8% | 45% | 50% | 2% | 3% |
| HarrisX | November 2–4, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 46% | 48% | – | – |
| Quinnipiac University | October 29 – November 4, 2018 | 1,142 | ± 3.5% | 43% | 50% | 1% | 6% |
| Emerson College | November 1–3, 2018 | 784 | ± 3.7% | 46% | 51% | 2% | 1% |
| HarrisX | November 1–3, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 46% | 49% | – | – |
| Research Co. | November 1–3, 2018 | 450 | ± 4.6% | 46% | 47% | 2% | 5% |
| St. Pete Polls | November 1–2, 2018 | 2,733 | ± 1.9% | 46% | 48% | 2% | 4% |
| HarrisX | October 31 – November 2, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 45% | 50% | – | – |
| Marist College | October 30 – November 2, 2018 | 595 LV | ± 5.0% | 46% | 50% | <1% | 3% |
| Marist College | October 30 – November 2, 2018 | 917 RV | ± 4.1% | 45% | 50% | <1% | 5% |
| Gravis Marketing | October 29 – November 2, 2018 | 753 | ± 3.6% | 47% | 48% | – | 5% |
| HarrisX | October 30 – November 1, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 45% | 50% | – | – |
| Targoz Market Research | October 28–31, 2018 | 558 | – | 48% | 47% | – | 5% |
| HarrisX | October 29–31, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 43% | 50% | – | – |
| MWR Research/Consumer Energy Alliance | October 25–31, 2020 | 1,005 | – | 40% | 41% | 1% | 18% |
| The Trafalgar Group | October 29–30, 2018 | 2,543 | ± 1.9% | 46% | 48% | 3% | 2% |
| Vox Populi Polling | October 27–30, 2018 | 696 | ± 3.7% | 47% | 53% | – | – |
| HarrisX | October 24–30, 2018 | 1,400 | ± 2.6% | 42% | 44% | – | – |
| Cygnal | October 27–29, 2018 | 495 | ± 4.4% | 47% | 47% | 5% | 1% |
| CNN/SSRS | October 24–29, 2018 | 781 LV | ± 4.3% | 48% | 49% | 0% | 2% |
| CNN/SSRS | October 24–29, 2018 | 887 RV | ± 4.0% | 45% | 48% | 0% | 4% |
| Suffolk University | October 25–28, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 44% | 45% | 1% | 8% |
| NYT Upshot/Siena College | October 23–27, 2018 | 737 | ± 4.0% | 43% | 48% | 1% | 8% |
| University of North Florida | October 23–26, 2018 | 1,051 | ± 3.0% | 43% | 49% | <1% | 7% |
| YouGov | October 23–26, 2018 | 991 | ± 4.0% | 46% | 47% | 2% | 5% |
| Ipsos | October 17–25, 2018 | 1,069 | ± 3.4% | 44% | 50% | 3% | 3% |
| Gravis Marketing | October 22–23, 2018 | 773 | ± 3.5% | 46% | 51% | – | 3% |
| Strategic Research Associates | October 16–23, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 48% | 45% | – | 8% |
| 1892 Polling | October 20–22, 2018 | 2,500 | ± 2.0% | 47% | 46% | 2% | 6% |
| Saint Leo University | October 16–22, 2018 | 698 | ± 3.5% | 37% | 49% | 4% | 11% |
| St. Pete Polls | October 20–21, 2018 | 1,575 | ± 2.5% | 46% | 47% | 2% | 4% |
| Florida Atlantic University | October 18–21, 2018 | 704 | ± 3.6% | 37% | 41% | 4% | 18% |
| SurveyUSA | October 18–21, 2018 | 665 | ± 5.0% | 42% | 49% | 1% | 8% |
| Quinnipiac University | October 17–21, 2018 | 1,161 | ± 3.5% | 46% | 52% | 1% | 2% |
| Schroth, Eldon and Associates | October 17–20, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 42% | 48% | – | 10% |
| CNN/SSRS | October 16–20, 2018 | 759 LV | ± 4.2% | 42% | 54% | 0% | 4% |
| CNN/SSRS | October 16–20, 2018 | 872 RV | ± 3.9% | 42% | 52% | 0% | 5% |
| OnMessage Inc. | October 14–18, 2018 | 2,200 | ± 2.1% | 48% | 45% | 3% | 4% |
| St. Pete Polls | October 15–16, 2018 | 1,974 | ± 2.2% | 46% | 47% | 2% | 5% |
| Florida Southern College | October 1–5, 2018 | 476 | ± 4.5% | 44% | 47% | 5% | 4% |
| Kaiser Family Foundation/SSRS | September 19 – October 2, 2018 | 522 | ± 6.0% | 40% | 48% | 1% | 10% |
| St. Pete Polls | September 29–30, 2018 | 2,313 | ± 2.0% | 45% | 47% | 2% | 6% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 28–30, 2018 | 779 | ± 3.5% | 44% | 48% | – | 8% |
| Strategic Research Associates | September 17–30, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 43% | 44% | – | 12% |
| Mason-Dixon | September 24–27, 2018 | 815 | ± 3.5% | 44% | 45% | 3% | 8% |
| Quinnipiac University | September 22–24, 2018 | 888 | ± 4.0% | 45% | 54% | 0% | 2% |
| Cherry Communications | September 19–24, 2018 | 622 | ± 4.4% | 42% | 48% | 2% | 6% |
| Marist College | September 16–20, 2018 | 600 LV | ± 4.7% | 43% | 48% | 1% | 7% |
| Marist College | September 16–20, 2018 | 829 RV | ± 4.0% | 41% | 49% | 1% | 10% |
| University of North Florida | September 17–19, 2018 | 605 | – | 43% | 47% | <1% | 10% |
| Florida Atlantic University | September 13–16, 2018 | 850 | ± 3.3% | 39% | 41% | 5% | 15% |
| Ipsos | September 5–12, 2018 | 1,000 | ± 4.0% | 44% | 50% | 2% | 5% |
| Rasmussen Reports | September 10–11, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 42% | 48% | 2% | 8% |
| SurveyUSA | September 7–9, 2018 | 634 | ± 5.3% | 43% | 47% | 1% | 9% |
| Cherry Communications | September 6–9, 2018 | 514 | ± 4.0% | 43% | 47% | 2% | 8% |
| St. Pete Polls | September 5–6, 2018 | 2,240 | ± 2.1% | 47% | 48% | – | 5% |
| Quinnipiac University | August 30 – September 3, 2018 | 785 | ± 4.3% | 47% | 50% | 0% | 3% |
| Gravis Marketing | August 29–30, 2018 | 1,225 | ± 2.8% | 45% | 47% | – | 8% |
| Public Policy Polling | August 29–30, 2018 | 743 | ± 4.0% | 43% | 48% | – | 9% |
| Gravis Marketing | July 13–14, 2018 | 1,840 | ± 2.3% | 39% | 36% | – | 25% |
| Gravis Marketing | May 31 – June 15, 2018 | 485 | ± 4.5% | 35% | 38% | – | 27% |
| Gravis Marketing | February 26 – March 19, 2018 | 2,212 | ± 2.1% | 29% | 33% | – | 37% |
with Ron DeSantis and Gwen Graham
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Ron DeSantis | Gwen Graham | Other | Undecided |
| Frederick Polls | August 16–20, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 40% | 44% | – | – |
| Saint Leo University | August 10–16, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 31% | 36% | 9% | 24% |
| Gravis Marketing | July 13–14, 2018 | 1,840 | ± 2.3% | 38% | 42% | – | 20% |
| Gravis Marketing | May 31 – June 15, 2018 | 485 | ± 4.5% | 34% | 44% | – | 22% |
| Saint Leo University | May 25–31, 2018 | 506 | ± 4.5% | 16% | 22% | 13% | 49% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 10–11, 2018 | 661 | – | 36% | 40% | – | 24% |
| Gravis Marketing | February 26 – March 19, 2018 | 2,212 | ± 2.1% | 30% | 33% | – | 37% |
with Ron DeSantis and Jeff Greene
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Ron DeSantis | Jeff Greene | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | July 13–14, 2018 | 1,840 | ± 2.3% | 39% | 39% | 22% |
with Ron DeSantis and Chris King
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Ron DeSantis | Chris King | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | May 31 – June 15, 2018 | 485 | ± 4.5% | 35% | 37% | 29% |
with Ron DeSantis and Philip Levine
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Ron DeSantis | Philip Levine | Other | Undecided |
| Saint Leo University | August 10–16, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 30% | 34% | 11% | 25% |
| Gravis Marketing | July 13–14, 2018 | 1,840 | ± 2.3% | 40% | 38% | – | 22% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 18–19, 2018 | 1,308 | – | 36% | 41% | – | – |
| Gravis Marketing | May 31 – June 15, 2018 | 485 | ± 4.5% | 33% | 43% | – | 24% |
| Saint Leo University | May 25–31, 2018 | 506 | ± 4.5% | 17% | 22% | 12% | 49% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 10–11, 2018 | 661 | – | 37% | 42% | – | 22% |
with Adam Putnam and Andrew Gillum
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Adam Putnam | Andrew Gillum | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | July 13–14, 2018 | 1,840 | ± 2.3% | 41% | 35% | 29% |
| Gravis Marketing | May 31 – June 15, 2018 | 485 | ± 4.5% | 39% | 42% | 20% |
| Gravis Marketing | February 26 – March 19, 2018 | 2,212 | ± 2.1% | 34% | 28% | 38% |
| Gravis Marketing | February 1–18, 2018 | 1,978 | ± 2.2% | 30% | 30% | 40% |
| Gravis Marketing | December 19–24, 2017 | 5,778 | ± 1.3% | 31% | 31% | 39% |
| Cherry Communications | September 17–24, 2017 | 615 | – | 40% | 33% | – |
| Gravis Marketing | March 28–29, 2017 | 1,453 | ± 2.6% | 32% | 31% | 37% |
with Adam Putnam and Gwen Graham
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Adam Putnam | Gwen Graham | Other | Undecided |
| Saint Leo University | August 10–16, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 36% | 31% | 9% | 24% |
| Gravis Marketing | July 13–14, 2018 | 1,840 | ± 2.3% | 40% | 39% | – | 20% |
| Gravis Marketing | May 31 – June 15, 2018 | 485 | ± 4.5% | 39% | 45% | – | 17% |
| Saint Leo University | May 25–31, 2018 | 506 | ± 4.5% | 25% | 20% | 13% | 43% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 10–11, 2018 | 661 | – | 36% | 37% | – | 27% |
| Gravis Marketing | February 26 – March 19, 2018 | 2,212 | ± 2.1% | 34% | 32% | – | 34% |
| Saint Leo University | February 18–24, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 22% | 18% | 14% | 45% |
| Gravis Marketing | February 1–18, 2018 | 1,978 | ± 2.2% | 33% | 29% | – | 38% |
| Gravis Marketing | December 19–24, 2017 | 5,778 | ± 1.3% | 32% | 32% | – | 37% |
| Cherry Communications | September 17–24, 2017 | 615 | – | 39% | 37% | – | – |
| Gravis Marketing | March 28–29, 2017 | 1,453 | ± 2.6% | 32% | 34% | – | 35% |
| Cherry Communications | December 3–8, 2016 | 606 | – | 39% | 36% | – | 25% |
| Gravis Marketing | November 22–25, 2016 | 3,250 | ± 2.4% | 34% | 37% | – | 30% |
with Adam Putnam and Jeff Greene
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Adam Putnam | Jeff Greene | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | July 13–14, 2018 | 1,840 | ± 2.3% | 41% | 39% | 20% |
with Adam Putnam and Chris King
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Adam Putnam | Chris King | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | May 31 – June 15, 2018 | 485 | ± 4.5% | 39% | 38% | 23% |
| Cherry Communications | September 17–24, 2017 | 615 | – | 40% | 31% | – |
with Adam Putnam and Philip Levine
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Adam Putnam | Philip Levine | Other | Undecided |
| Saint Leo University | August 10–16, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 37% | 30% | 9% | 25% |
| Gravis Marketing | July 13–14, 2018 | 1,840 | ± 2.3% | 43% | 38% | – | 19% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 18–19, 2018 | 1,308 | – | 38% | 43% | – | – |
| Gravis Marketing | May 31 – June 15, 2018 | 485 | ± 4.5% | 39% | 43% | – | 19% |
| Saint Leo University | May 25–31, 2018 | 506 | ± 4.5% | 24% | 20% | 11% | 44% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 10–11, 2018 | 661 | – | 37% | 41% | – | 23% |
| Cherry Communications | September 17–24, 2017 | 615 | – | 40% | 32% | – | – |
with Bob White and Andrew Gillum
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bob White | Andrew Gillum | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | May 31 – June 15, 2018 | 485 | ± 4.5% | 28% | 38% | 35% |
with Bob White and Gwen Graham
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bob White | Gwen Graham | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | May 31 – June 15, 2018 | 485 | ± 4.5% | 27% | 44% | 29% |
with Bob White and Chris King
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bob White | Chris King | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | May 31 – June 15, 2018 | 485 | ± 4.5% | 28% | 36% | 36% |
with Bob White and Philip Levine
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bob White | Philip Levine | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | May 31 – June 15, 2018 | 485 | ± 4.5% | 29% | 42% | 29% |
with generic Republican and Democrat
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Generic Republican | Generic Democrat | Undecided |
| Morning Consult | May 29–30, 2018 | 1,199 | ± 3.0% | 38% | 40% | 22% |
| Quinnipiac University | February 23–26, 2018 | 1,156 | ± 3.6% | 37% | 45% | 18% |
with Richard Corcoran and Andrew Gillum
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Richard Corcoran | Andrew Gillum | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | May 31 – June 15, 2018 | 485 | ± 4.5% | 27% | 41% | 32% |
| Gravis Marketing | March 28–29, 2017 | 1,453 | ± 2.6% | 26% | 33% | 42% |
| Gravis Marketing | February 26 – March 19, 2018 | 2,212 | ± 2.1% | 26% | 33% | 41% |
| Gravis Marketing | February 1–18, 2018 | 1,978 | ± 2.2% | 23% | 32% | 46% |
| Gravis Marketing | December 19–24, 2017 | 5,778 | ± 1.3% | 22% | 33% | 45% |
with Richard Corcoran and Gwen Graham
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Richard Corcoran | Gwen Graham | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | May 31 – June 15, 2018 | 485 | ± 4.5% | 27% | 44% | 29% |
| Gravis Marketing | March 28–29, 2017 | 1,453 | ± 2.6% | 29% | 34% | 38% |
| Gravis Marketing | February 26 – March 19, 2018 | 2,212 | ± 2.1% | 28% | 32% | 40% |
| Gravis Marketing | February 1–18, 2018 | 1,978 | ± 2.2% | 24% | 33% | 44% |
| Gravis Marketing | December 19–24, 2017 | 5,778 | ± 1.3% | 24% | 33% | 43% |
with Richard Corcoran and Chris King
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Richard Corcoran | Chris King | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | May 31 – June 15, 2018 | 485 | ± 4.5% | 29% | 39% | 32% |
with Richard Corcoran and Philip Levine
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Richard Corcoran | Philip Levine | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | May 31 – June 15, 2018 | 485 | ± 4.5% | 29% | 43% | 28% |
with Richard Corcoran and John Morgan
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Richard Corcoran | John Morgan | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | March 28–29, 2017 | 1,453 | ± 2.6% | 27% | 39% | 34% |
with David Jolly and John Morgan
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | David Jolly | John Morgan | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | November 22–25, 2016 | 3,250 | ± 2.4% | 31% | 42% | 27% |
with Jeff Atwater and Gwen Graham
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Jeff Atwater | Gwen Graham | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | November 22–25, 2016 | 3,250 | ± 2.4% | 32% | 40% | 28% |
with Jeff Atwater and John Morgan
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Jeff Atwater | John Morgan | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | November 22–25, 2016 | 3,250 | ± 2.4% | 34% | 41% | 25% |
with Pam Bondi and Gwen Graham
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Pam Bondi | Gwen Graham | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | November 22–25, 2016 | 3,250 | ± 2.4% | 36% | 44% | 20% |
with Pam Bondi and John Morgan
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Pam Bondi | John Morgan | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | November 22–25, 2016 | 3,250 | ± 2.4% | 35% | 45% | 20% |
with David Jolly and Gwen Graham
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | David Jolly | Gwen Graham | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | November 22–25, 2016 | 3,250 | ± 2.4% | 29% | 40% | 31% |
with Andrew Putnam, Andrew Gillum, and John Morgan
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Adam Putnam | Andrew Gillum | John Morgan | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | February 26 – March 19, 2018 | 2,212 | ± 2.1% | 28% | 23% | 16% | 34% |
| Gravis Marketing | February 1–18, 2018 | 1,978 | ± 2.2% | 27% | 20% | 17% | 36% |
| Gravis Marketing | December 19–24, 2017 | 5,778 | ± 1.3% | 26% | 22% | 18% | 34% |
with Andrew Putnam, Gwen Graham, and John Morgan
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Adam Putnam | Gwen Graham | John Morgan | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | February 26 – March 19, 2018 | 2,212 | ± 2.1% | 29% | 22% | 17% | 32% |
| Gravis Marketing | February 1–18, 2018 | 1,978 | ± 2.2% | 28% | 21% | 17% | 34% |
| Gravis Marketing | December 19–24, 2017 | 5,778 | ± 1.3% | 27% | 23% | 17% | 33% |
with Richard Corcoran, Andrew Gillum, and John Morgan
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Richard Corcoran | Andrew Gillum | John Morgan | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | February 26 – March 19, 2018 | 2,212 | ± 2.1% | 25% | 23% | 17% | 34% |
| Gravis Marketing | February 1–18, 2018 | 1,978 | ± 2.2% | 20% | 21% | 17% | 41% |
| Gravis Marketing | December 19–24, 2017 | 5,778 | ± 1.3% | 20% | 23% | 19% | 39% |
with Richard Corcoran, Gwen Graham, and John Morgan
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Richard Corcoran | Gwen Graham | John Morgan | Undecided |
| Gravis Marketing | February 26 – March 19, 2018 | 2,212 | ± 2.1% | 26% | 21% | 16% | 37% |
| Gravis Marketing | February 1–18, 2018 | 1,978 | ± 2.2% | 20% | 23% | 16% | 41% |
| Gravis Marketing | December 19–24, 2017 | 5,778 | ± 1.3% | 20% | 24% | 18% | 38% |
with Adam Putnam and John Morgan
| Poll source | Date administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Adam Putnam | John Morgan | Other | Undecided |
| Saint Leo University | November 19–24, 2017 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 19% | 24% | 8% | 49% |
| Cherry Communications | September 17–24, 2017 | 615 | – | 40% | 37% | – | – |
| Saint Leo University | September 10–16, 2017 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 18% | 24% | 16% | 42% |
| Gravis Marketing | March 28–29, 2017 | 1,453 | ± 2.6% | 33% | 34% | – | 32% |
| Saint Leo University | March 3–11, 2017 | 507 | ± 4.5% | 20% | 26% | 13% | 42% |
| Cherry Communications | December 3–8, 2016 | 606 | – | 40% | 37% | – | 23% |
| Gravis Marketing | November 22–25, 2016 | 3,250 | ± 2.4% | 35% | 39% | – | 26% |
Results
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
By congressional district
DeSantis won 14 of 27 congressional districts.| District | DeSantis | Gillum | Representative |
| 67% | 31% | Matt Gaetz | |
| 66% | 33% | Neal Dunn | |
| 55% | 44% | Ted Yoho | |
| 61% | 38% | John Rutherford | |
| 34% | 65% | Al Lawson | |
| 57% | 42% | Ron DeSantis | |
| 57% | 42% | Mike Waltz | |
| 44% | 55% | Stephanie Murphy | |
| 58% | 40% | Bill Posey | |
| 44% | 55% | Darren Soto | |
| 36% | 63% | Val Demings | |
| 64% | 34% | Daniel Webster | |
| 56% | 42% | Gus Bilirakis | |
| 45% | 53% | Charlie Crist | |
| 40% | 59% | Kathy Castor | |
| 53% | 46% | Dennis Ross | |
| 53% | 46% | Ross Spano | |
| 53% | 45% | Vern Buchanan | |
| 62% | 36% | Tom Rooney | |
| 62% | 36% | Greg Steube | |
| 52% | 47% | Brian Mast | |
| 61% | 37% | Francis Rooney | |
| 17% | 82% | Alcee Hastings | |
| 39% | 61% | Lois Frankel | |
| 41% | 59% | Ted Deutch | |
| 37% | 62% | Debbie Wasserman Schultz | |
| 16% | 84% | Frederica Wilson | |
| 57% | 41% | Mario Díaz-Balart | |
| 46% | 53% | Carlos Curbelo | |
| 46% | 53% | Debbie Mucarsel-Powell | |
| 44% | 55% | Ileana Ros-Lehtinen | |
| 44% | 55% | Donna Shalala |
Analysis
The close margin mandated a machine recount, which had a deadline of November 15, 2018. If the margin was below 0.25% after machine recount, Ken Detzner, the Secretary of State of Florida, would commission a manual recount of over-votes and under-votes. However, after the recount was complete, DeSantis' margin was 0.40%; therefore, he was certified the winner. Gillum conceded on November 17.On November 10, 2022, former president Donald Trump claimed on his Truth Social page that he had prematurely ended the recount to prevent DeSantis and Senate candidate Rick Scott from losing, under the unsubstantiated belief that ballots for them were being removed. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried has asked Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate. Sarah Isgur, the spokeswoman of the Department of Justice from 2017 to 2019, has said that it "never happened," a position which was supported by other former Department of Justice officials. Broward County Commissioner Steven Geller agreed that no interference took place.