ORLANDO, Fla. – With Election Day just months away, the race for Florida governor is heating up—but many voters are still struggling to name the candidates vying for the state’s top job.
In a series of man-on-the-street style interviews, voters were asked a simple question: " Who is running for governor?“ while being shown printouts of each candidate’s headquarters.
“Ohh…” one person responded with bewilderment, pausing in confusion. Others were more direct and offered a quick: “I don’t know.”
The lack of awareness comes despite the high stakes of the race, which will be decided in less than nine months.
“Voter attentiveness is lower than we would want it to be,” said Sean Freeder, director of the Public Opinion Research Lab at the University of North Florida.
Freeder says this trend is common, especially in state and local elections, where even politically engaged voters tend to lose track of candidates.
“At the state level, especially the local level, even the most pretty knowledgeable voters tend to drop off quite a bit,” he explained.
That drop-off makes name recognition a powerful factor—particularly in primary races.
To test that theory, a small group of voters in Orlando was shown a list of gubernatorial candidates, mixed in with a few well-known political figures. The result: most quickly recognized former President Donald Trump, but struggled to identify those actually running for governor.
“That’s Trump,” one person said immediately.
Trump’s influence could play a key role in shaping the race. He has endorsed Congressman Byron Donalds, a move that polling suggests carries significant weight.
“When people are told that he has that endorsement, his lead shoots up to being insurmountable,” Freeder said.
According to a February poll from UNF, Donalds holds a lead that surpasses the combined support of his Republican competitors.
Still, while many voters may not know the candidates, they are clear on the issues they want addressed.
“Gas prices are high,” one voter said.“I wish my groceries would come down,” another added.“Probably homelessness or gas prices,” said a third.
As the campaign season continues, candidates will likely focus on increasing their visibility—while also addressing the everyday concerns top of mind for Floridians.