Florida Governor Voter Guide: Donalds, Jolly and Six Others on Home Insurance and Property Taxes
Eight candidates are on the ballot for governor of Florida on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, according to the Florida Division of Elections: Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds; Democrat David Jolly, a former congressman; Libertarian Scott Jewett; and five candidates with no party affiliation, Dean Abrams, Charles Burkett, Jeffrey "Dr. Jeff" Datto, Moliere "Moe" Dimanche and Frank Russo. Two more, Kathy Anderson and Erik Morris, qualified as write-in candidates. The winner will succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is term-limited.
The Digital Free Press voter guide video compares the candidates on home insurance and property taxes. Here is where each one stands, based on the video, the candidates' own words and websites, and Florida reporting.
What Amendment 3 Would Do
Florida voters will also decide Amendment 3, a property tax measure the Legislature placed on the ballot (HJR 1-F). According to the ballot summary posted by the Florida Division of Elections, it would raise the homestead exemption for all non-school property taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, then adjust it for inflation. It would require the Legislature to set a uniform way for counties and cities to raise the exemption up to a home's full assessed value, and would let special districts do the same with voter approval. People who are not Florida residents on Dec. 31, 2026, would get the existing exemption at first, with the larger one starting in their fifth year. The measure would also lower the yearly cap on assessment increases for non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and would limit county and city property tax money to public safety, schools, infrastructure, natural resources, debt payments, employee retirement benefits, and operations and administration. It would take effect Jan. 1, 2027. Like every amendment to the Florida Constitution, it needs 60% of the vote to pass.
Byron Donalds (Republican)
Donalds, 47, of Naples, has represented Southwest Florida in the U.S. House since 2021 and served in the Florida House from 2016 to 2020. His background is in finance, insurance and banking, according to his campaign. His running mate is Bryan Avila, who recently resigned from the state Senate, the Florida Phoenix reported. His X profile describes him as "Trump-endorsed," and the Florida Phoenix reports he has also highlighted Gov. Ron DeSantis's endorsement.
On home insurance, the video says Donalds told a July podcast he could cut insurance rates about 20% by reforming insurance rules. That checks out: in a July 11 interview on the Cartier Family podcast, Donalds said he could potentially lower insurance rates by 20% by reforming the state's property insurance regulatory framework, according to the voter guide of the News Collaborative of Central Florida, published by WKMG. His campaign website pledges to "protect reforms and stop lawsuit abuse that jacks up rates for everyone," trim state fees "when reserves are full," redirect the My Safe Florida Home program to storm-hardening upgrades that lower premiums, keep the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance small, and create an online scorecard comparing insurers on price, claims speed and denials. At a WLRN economic summit in Fort Lauderdale, Donalds said he would end a surcharge that feeds the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund: "My view is to get rid of the kicker. That would lower premiums for every policyholder in the state," WPTV reported. He opposes a government-run hurricane fund. "Anytime the government takes over, it gets worse," he said, according to the Florida Phoenix.
On property taxes, the video says Donalds said in 2025 that he would back a $300,000 to $400,000 homestead exemption. That also checks out: at a 2025 event in Tampa, he said he would support raising the homestead exemption from $50,000 to between $300,000 and $400,000, while warning that eliminating property taxes could force a sales tax increase, according to the News Collaborative voter guide. He now supports Amendment 3. "I think voters need relief. I think the property owners need relief," he said at the Fort Lauderdale summit, WPTV reported. Win or lose on the amendment, he has promised "proposals for a full and complete reform of property taxes and fees in Florida" next year through the state's Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, according to the News Collaborative voter guide.
David Jolly (Democrat)
Jolly, 53, an attorney from Indian Rocks Beach, represented a Pinellas County district in Congress as a Republican. He became an independent in 2018 and joined the Democratic Party in 2025, according to the Florida Phoenix. His running mate is former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, daughter of former Gov. and Sen. Bob Graham.
On home insurance, the video says Jolly wants a state catastrophic fund for hurricane coverage with lower premiums. That checks out. "I will work to lower homeowners' insurance costs by creating a state catastrophic fund that removes hurricane coverage from the private market, reducing premiums," Jolly wrote in the News Collaborative voter guide. His campaign website says the plan would cut homeowners insurance 60% to 70%. Private insurers would cover only traditional risks such as burst pipes, while the state fund would cover wind and hurricane damage and would replace both the current Hurricane Catastrophe Fund and Citizens, FOX 13 reported. He would start the fund with about $12 billion now in the Cat Fund, use tourist-tax money and cap the fees insurers pay to their own affiliate companies, according to FOX 13. "We are not going to solve this without government taking on a larger role in backing this," Jolly said, WPTV reported. Donalds says in a TV ad that the plan would bring a $1,000 "hurricane tax"; Jolly called that "all lies" and said his plan "does not include an additional $1,000 tax for homeowners," the Florida Phoenix reported.
On property taxes, the video says Jolly opposes the property tax amendment and wants more local control. That checks out. "I anticipate I will vote against Amendment 3," Jolly said at the Fort Lauderdale summit. "I don't think the math works," WPTV reported. In the News Collaborative voter guide, he wrote that the effort "is rushed and puts critical services and rural counties at risk, while likely shifting the tax burden to renters," adding, "We do need property tax relief." As governor, he said, he would propose "greater local control of property taxes, exemptions, and spending."
Scott Jewett (Libertarian)
Jewett, 67, is an entrepreneur from Boca Raton with a bachelor's degree and an MBA from San Diego State University, according to the Orlando Sentinel voter guide. His running mate is Nicole Skelly. His website calls for "less government overreach, more individual liberty, and practical solutions that put people first," WUSF reported.
On home insurance, the video says Jewett wants more competition among insurers and fewer regulatory barriers. That matches his own words. "I will promote competition among insurance providers, reduce unnecessary regulatory barriers, expand opportunities for hurricane mitigation, and strengthen transparency and accountability in claims handling," Jewett told the Orlando Sentinel. He also says he wants to bring back private insurers, WUSF reported.
On property taxes, the video says Jewett would eliminate property taxes on homesteaded homes. That checks out. "Nobody should have to keep paying the government indefinitely for the privilege of living in a home they own," he told the Orlando Sentinel. He said he will vote yes on Amendment 3 "as a meaningful step toward my ultimate goal of eliminating property taxes on homesteaded residences." Asked how he would replace the lost money, he said he rejects "the assumption that every dollar of current government spending must be preserved" and that "some nonessential government services and expenditures will need to be reduced."
Dean Abrams (No Party Affiliation)
Abrams, 50, of Sarasota, says he has spent about three decades in technology and consulting, including at Microsoft, HP and KPMG, and helped rebuild New York City's emergency communications after Sept. 11, according to his campaign website. He switched from Republican to no party affiliation in 2022, WUSF reported. He says he is paying for his campaign himself and taking no party, PAC or corporate money. His running mate is Joe Van Vactor, an 18-year Air Force veteran.
On home insurance, Abrams' website says he would direct the Office of Insurance Regulation to publish loss ratios, reinsurance costs, executive pay and rate justifications "in plain language," require "whole-company accounting so no carrier declares a loss while its affiliates book the profit," cap insurer profit and return surplus money to policyholders, and expand My Safe Florida Home. He would also restore the right of homeowners to sue an insurer that wrongly denies or underpays a claim, including one-way attorney fees for a homeowner who wins.
On property taxes, the video says Abrams' website calls for no homestead property tax on homes worth up to twice the county median. That checks out. His website says he would "eliminate property taxes on homesteaded homes within 200 percent of the county median," with reductions above that line and no break for second homes, and would create a public commission to publish county-by-county numbers on replacing the money. He says he supports Amendment 3, with one reservation: newer residents would wait five years for the full exemption, a provision he says is "vulnerable" under the constitutional right to travel.
Charles Burkett (No Party Affiliation)
Burkett, 65, of Surfside, describes himself as an investor who owns commercial, residential and agricultural properties in eight states. He says he first became mayor of Surfside in 2006 and that his last term ends this year; he was mayor in 2021 when the Champlain Towers South condominium collapsed, WUSF reported. He is paying for his own campaign, according to WUSF. His running mate is Ruben A. Coto.
On home insurance, the video says Burkett would rewrite insurance laws to bring in competition. That checks out: his campaign website says he would "rewrite the broken laws and bring radical competition into the property and auto insurance market."
On property taxes, the video says Burkett would phase out homestead property taxes over 10 years for long-term residents. That checks out. "There should be no taxes on your homestead," he wrote in the News Collaborative voter guide. "My plan, for residents and renters who have been in Florida at least 10 years, is to decrease property taxes on every homesteaded home by 1/10 for 10 years at which point the property taxes would be zero." He added, "Second home owners, tourists and investors will continue to pay property taxes."
Jeff Datto (No Party Affiliation)
Jeffrey Peter "Dr. Jeff" Datto, 51, lives in Hialeah, according to the Orlando Sentinel. His campaign lists a Facebook page rather than a website, and his X profile describes him as a neuroscientist. His running mate is Juan Santana. Civics Scorecard, a voter education tool for Palm Beach County, found that Datto has a history as a pro se, or self-represented, plaintiff in federal civil rights and disability-discrimination lawsuits spanning more than 15 years and multiple states, WUSF reported.
The video does not list positions for Datto. No campaign website or public statement on home insurance or property taxes could be found.
Moe Dimanche (No Party Affiliation)
Moliere "Moe" Dimanche, 38, is a FedEx delivery driver from Orlando who studied studio art at St. Johns River State College and the Florida School of the Arts, according to the Orlando Sentinel. A first-generation American, he grew up in Orlando's Pine Hills area and has pushed to incorporate it as a city, according to his campaign website. He ran for mayor of Orlando in 2023, WUSF reported. His running mate is Benjiman Rojas. Dimanche served time for grand theft until 2016, WUSF reported; WJCT reported in 2017 that he was sentenced at age 19 to 10 years in state prison for theft and served 8 1/2 years.
On home insurance, his campaign website does not list a position.
On property taxes, the video says Dimanche would vote yes on the property tax amendment. That checks out: asked in the News Collaborative voter guide how he would vote, he answered, "Yes." His campaign website goes further and calls for abolishing property taxes on homesteads, saying they infringe "on ownership rights" and that "the state can fund these efforts without taxing property held as the homestead." He would also abolish homeowners associations.
Frank Russo (No Party Affiliation)
Frank J. Russo, 65, is a Florida-born businessman and insurance executive, according to his campaign website. He switched from Republican to no party affiliation in 2022, WUSF reported. His running mate is Rachel Rodriguez, a Florida attorney.
The video does not list positions for Russo, but he laid them out in the News Collaborative voter guide. On home insurance, he wrote, "After more than 30 years in the insurance industry, I know Florida's insurance system can work better for families." His plan includes a "Florida Catastrophic Hurricane/Wind Protection Program," a Florida Homeowner Bill of Rights, an elected insurance commissioner, and rules "ensuring insurers clearly explain premium increases and policy decisions," along with more competition and consumer protections.
On property taxes, Russo said he would vote yes on the amendment. "I strongly support property tax relief because Florida families deserve to keep more of what they earn," he wrote, adding that relief "must be paired with responsible government" and that he supports "exploring additional property tax relief for homeowners while ensuring local governments remain financially responsible."
Where to Follow the Candidates
Byron Donalds: @ByronDonalds on X and @byrondonalds on TikTok. David Jolly: @DavidJollyFL on X, @david_jolly on TikTok and @davidjollyfl on Instagram. Scott Jewett: scottjewett.com. Dean Abrams: @DeanAbrams on X, @deanabrams.fl on TikTok and @dean4gov26 on Instagram. Charles Burkett: @burkettforgov on X, TikTok and Instagram. Jeff Datto: @DrJeffDatto on X and @drjeffdatto on TikTok and Instagram. Moe Dimanche: @MoeDimanche on X and @moedimanche on TikTok and Instagram. Frank Russo: @Russo2026 on X and @frankjohnrusso on TikTok and Instagram.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. This guide is for information only; The Digital Free Press does not endorse any candidate.
Yossi Schmidt, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, The Digital Free Press
Hold Everyone Accountable.
Sources: Florida Division of Elections, Candidate Listing for 2026 General Election, Governor: https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/candidates/CanList.asp ; Florida Division of Elections, "Increased Homestead Exemption; Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homestead Property Assessments" (Amendment 3): https://constitutionalinitiatives.dos.fl.gov/Home/InitDetail?account=10&seqnum=110 ; WKMG ClickOrlando / News Collaborative of Central Florida, "2026 Voter's Guide - Florida governor's race" (Oct. 16, 2026): https://www.clickorlando.com/voters-guide/2026/10/16/2026-voters-guide-florida-governors-race/ ; WPTV, "Florida governor candidates clash on property taxes, insurance at Fort Lauderdale summit": https://www.wptv.com/news/politics/florida-governor-candidates-clash-on-property-taxes-insurance-at-fort-lauderdale-summit ; FOX 13 Tampa Bay, "Florida's insurance crisis: Here's how Byron Donalds, David Jolly want to fix it": https://www.fox13news.com/news/florida-governor-candidates-clash-over-home-insurance-accuse-each-other-supporting-hurricane-tax ; Florida Phoenix via WLRN, "Jolly and Donalds clash on property insurance proposals" (Sept. 17, 2026): https://www.wlrn.org/government-politics/2026-09-17/jolly-and-donalds-clash-on-property-insurance-proposals ; Florida Phoenix, Voter Guide: 2026 General Election, Governor: https://floridaphoenix.com/voter-guides/contests/2026-general-governor/ ; WUSF, "Donalds and Jolly aren't the only candidates for Florida governor" (Oct. 22, 2026): https://wusf.org/text/politics-issues/2026-10-22/donalds-jolly-not-only-candidates-florida-governor-rest-of-field ; Orlando Sentinel, "2026 Voters Guide: Scott Eckhard Jewett running for Florida Governor" (Oct. 12, 2026): https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/10/12/2026-voters-guide-scott-eckhard-jewett-running-for-florida-governor/ ; Orlando Sentinel, "2026 Voters Guide: Moliere 'Moe' Dimanche running for Florida Governor": https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/10/12/2026-voters-guide-moliere-moe-dimanche-running-for-florida-governor/ ; Orlando Sentinel, "2026 Voters Guide: Jeffrey Peter 'Dr. Jeff' Datto running for Florida Governor": https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/10/12/2026-voters-guide-jeffrey-peter-dr-jeff-datto-running-for-florida-governor/ ; Byron Donalds campaign, Affordability: https://www.byrondonalds.com/issues/affordability/ ; David Jolly campaign, Florida Homeowners Insurance Plan: https://davidjolly.com/homeowners-insurance/ ; Dean Abrams campaign, Issues: https://www.deanabrams.com/issues/ ; Dean Abrams campaign, About: https://www.deanabrams.com/about/ ; Charles Burkett campaign: https://burkettforgov.com/ ; Moe Dimanche campaign: https://nomoecorruption.com/ ; Frank Russo campaign: https://russo2026.com/en ; WJCT, "First Coast Connect: Former Inmate Turned Prison Reform Activist" (April 5, 2017): https://news.wjct.org/first-coast/2017-04-05/first-coast-connect-former-inmate-turned-prison-reform-activist
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