2026 in Florida

The following is a list of events of the year 2026 in Florida.

This year marks Florida's 181th anniversary as a state in the Union on March 3, 1845, and marks 205 years since Spain ceded Florida to the United States on February 22, 1821. This year also marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence of the United States from the British Empire on July 4, 1776.

This year will see a new governor be elected on November 3rd as Ron DeSantis is term-limited.

• Executive Branch
  • Governor: Ron DeSantis (R)
  • Lieutenant Governor: Jay Collins (R)
  • Attorney General: James Uthmeier (R)
  • Chief Financial Officer: Blaise Ingoglia (R)
  • Commissioner of Agriculture: Wilton Simpson (R)
• Legislative Branch
  • Senate President: Ben Albritton (R)
  • House Speaker: Daniel Perez (R)
• Judicial Branch
  • Chief Justice: Carlos Muñiz

• Republican Party of Florida: Evan Power (R)
• Florida Democratic Party: Nikki Fried (D)

• January 7 – Governor DeSantis calls for a special legislative session on congressional redistricting, ahead of the 2026 United States midterm elections.^[1]
• January 12 – Lieutenant Governor Collins declares his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the 2026 Florida gubernatorial election.^[2]
• January 13
  • The 2026 regular session of the Florida Legislature begins.^[3] Governor DeSantis delivers his final State of the State Address, reflecting on his governorship.^[4]
  • Neal Dunn, a Republican, announces that he will not seek re-election as U.S. House Representative from Florida's 2nd congressional district.^[5]
• January 14 – Governor DeSantis appoints Adam Tanenbaum, a judge from the Florida First District Court of Appeal, as the 94th Justice of the Supreme Court of Florida, succeeding Charles Canady.^[6]
• January 15
  • The Supreme Court of Florida amends eligibility rules for Florida Bar admission to remove the American Bar Association as the sole law school accreditor. Jorge Labarga dissents.^[7]
  • The University of Miami hires former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson as a guest lecturer in political science.^[8]
• January 16 – A 4-mile stretch of Southern Boulevard between Palm Beach International Airport and Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach County is renamed President Donald J. Trump Boulevard.^[9]
• January 17 – Multiple far-right and manosphere influencers appear at a Miami Beach nightclub, including Nick Fuentes, Andrew Tate, Braden Peters (known online as Clavicular), Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy (known online as Sneako), and Myron Gaines. Videos surfaced of the influencers dancing to Kanye West's antisemitic song Heil Hitler and making Nazi salutes. Miami Beach mayor Steven Meiner condemned the actions of the influencers and launched an investigation into the incident.^[10]
• January 19
  • The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship is played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida between the Indiana Hoosiers and Miami Hurricanes. The Hoosiers beat the Hurricanes 27–21 to claim Indiana's first ever title.^[11]
  • Attorney General Uthmeier issues an opinion that race-based laws, including affirmative action, are presumptively unconstitutional and his office will not enforce them.^[12]
• January 23 – Governor DeSantis and German Ambassador Jens Hanefeld sign a Joint Declaration of Intent between the State of Florida and the Federal Republic of Germany. As of 2024, Germany is Florida’s seventh largest trading partner.^[13]
• January 25 – Florida Senate President Albritton is hospitalized for chest pains, where physicians discovered a small blood clot in his lung. Albritton is discharged from the hospital three days later and intends to finish the regular legislative session.^[14]
• January 27
  • Vern Buchanan, a Republican, announces that he will not seek re-election as U.S. House Representative from Florida's 16th congressional district.^[15]
  • The AIDS Healthcare Foundation files a complaint at the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings over the Florida Department of Health changing the eligibility requirements for the state's AIDS Drug Assistance Program in an effort to cut $120 million in state expenses.^[16]
• January 28 – A Boca Raton nurse's nursing license is suspended as a result of a TikTok video wishing harm on White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.^[17]
• January 29 – A Miami nurse relinquishes his nursing license following Facebook posts saying he would refuse anesthesia to MAGA patients.^[18]

• February 1 – The Florida Department of State announces that all 22 citizen initiatives for constitutional amendments have been disqualified for the 2026 Florida general election ballot, following the implementation of HB 1205 (signed May 2, 2025) which imposes stricter requirements for the citizen-led ballot initiative process.^[19]
• February 3 – Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas warns that students who participate in protests during the school day, particularly in protests against ICE, could face discipline.^[20]
• February 4
  • Ryan Wesley Routh, the man who attempted to assassinate President Trump while he was golfing at his club in West Palm Beach in 2024, is sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.^[21]
  • James Fishback meets with students at the University of Central Florida for his Republican gubernatorial campaign. Fishback makes several antisemitic statements including using the term "goyslop" while criticizing school food and mocking politicians who pay respect to the Western Wall. Fishback's comments have drawn condemnation.^[22][23][24]
• February 6 – The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles begins administering all driver's license knowledge and skills exams in English only.^[25]
• February 9
  • Governor DeSantis declares a state of emergency due to severe weather conditions: a historic cold snap at the beginning of the month, wildfires, and a drought that affects 99% of the state.^[26]
  • Chief Financial Officer Ingoglia announces that six state employees were arrested for filing bogus property damage claims through the Florida Department of Financial Services' Division of Risk Management. The fraudulent claims amounted to about $1.7 million.^[27]
• February 10
  • Ronald Palmer Heath, a man convicted for murder of a traveling salesman during a Gainesville robbery in 1990, is executed via lethal injection at Florida State Prison; Florida's first execution of the year. Governor DeSantis signed the death warrant on January 9, 2026.^[28][29]
  • 51-year old Russel Kot kills seven people, including himself, in a series of shootings in Fort Lauderdale and Sarasota. Kot kills his former romantic partner and her son in the Victoria Park neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale, and proceeds to kill his former romantic partner's brother, family friend, and parents in the Amberlea neighborhood near Sarasota. Kot's motive is unknown.^[30][31]
  • The Republican Party of Florida passes a rule limiting Chair Evan Power’s ability to fundraise in his congressional campaign to succeed Neal Dunn. This rule followed criticism over Power using his position to unfairly gain an advantage in his political campaign.^[32]
• February 12–13 – The Florida House and Florida Senate pass their appropriations bills for the 2026-2027 state budget, with the House appropriating $113.6 billion and the Senate appropriating $115 billion. Neither bill meets the $117.4 billion proposed by Governor DeSantis.^[33]
• February 14 – The University of Florida hires Attorney General Uthmeier as a part-time adjunct faculty member and adviser at the Levin College of Law, teaching a seminar on constitutional law.^[34] In response to criticism over holding two state-funded jobs simultaneously, Uthmeier says he needs the second job to support his growing family.^[35]
• February 15 – Tyler Reddick wins the 2026 Daytona 500. It is Reddick's first Daytona 500 win as a NASCAR driver and Michael Jordan's first win as an owner.^[36]
• February 17
  • The U.S. Department of Justice files a denaturalization case against former North Miami Mayor Philippe Bien-Aime, a naturalized citizen originally from Haiti. The DOJ claims Bien-Aime entered the United States in 1997 under the name Jean Philippe Janvier, then remained in the country under the Bien-Aime name after fraudulently claiming he had returned to Haiti, following a 2000 removal order.^[37]
  • Palantir, a data company founded by Peter Thiel, announces they are moving their headquarters from Denver to Miami.^[38]
• February 19 – The Florida Legislature passes SB 706 to give the state, rather than local governments, the power to name major commercial service airports. The bill includes renaming Palm Beach International Airport to “Donald J. Trump International Airport," but the name change is subject to approval by the Federal Aviation Administration.^[39]
• February 20 – Fishback attempts to confront his Republican gubernatorial rival and frontrunner Byron Donalds at a campaign event in Florida Gulf Coast University, and is removed by security.^[40] Fishback has made racist statements towards Donalds, an African-American, throughout the gubernatorial campaign, drawing condemnation.^[41][42]
• February 22 – Secret Service agents fatally shoot 21-year old Austin Tucker Martin of North Carolina, who attempted to enter Mar-a-Lago while holding a shotgun and gas canister. President Trump is not present at Mar-a-Lago when the shooting occurs. Martin’s motive is unknown.^[43]
• February 24 – Melvin Trotter, a man convicted for murder of a Manatee County grocery-store owner in 1986, is executed via lethal injection at Florida State Prison; Florida's second execution of the year. Governor DeSantis signed the death warrant on January 23, 2026. ^[44][45]
• February 25 – A stolen boat containing ten passengers, all Cubans and Cuban Americans, departs from the Florida Keys towards Cuba. When the boat nears Cuba, the passengers reportedly exchange gunfire with the Cuban coast guard, resulting in four of the passengers being killed and six injured.^[46]

• March 3
  • The Florida Legislature passes SB 290 (Florida's Farm Bill) as a sweeping package for Florida farmers. The bill sets priorities for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, prevents local governments from restricting gas-powered equipment, limits commercial solicitation, restricts high-density development on rural land, and creates a loan repayment program for veterinarians who treat livestock in Florida.^[47]
  • Billy Leon Kearse, a man convicted of killing a Fort Pierce police officer during a traffic stop in 1991, is executed via lethal injection at Florida State Prison; Florida's third execution of the year. Governor DeSantis signed the death warrant on January 29, 2026.^[48][49]
• March 4
  • The Florida Legislature passes HB 33 to rename a 1-mile stretch of road alongside Florida International University as "Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue."^[50]
  • The secretary of the Miami-Dade County Republican Party is revealed to have started a group chat in Fall 2025 with Florida International University student conservative leaders which contained multiple instances of antisemitism and racism towards Black people. The Republican Party of Florida condemns the group chat and FIU launches an investigation.^[51][52]
• March 6–17 – LoanDepot Park in Miami hosts multiple games of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, including the Final, where Venezuela defeats the United States 3-2 and secures their first title.^[53][54]
• March 7 – President Trump hosts the inaugural Shield of the Americas summit at Trump National Doral Miami in Doral. Representatives from Central and South American countries attend.^[55]
• March 9 – The Florida Legislature unanimously passes SB 432 (Meg's Law) to prohibit tobacco or nicotine dealers from selling nitrous oxide. The bill is named after a woman who died of nitrous oxide use outside of a smoke shop.^[56]
• March 10
  • The Florida Legislature passes SB 1134 to prohibit local governments from funding and promoting DEI. Supporters argue the bill stops taxpayer funding of programs which weaken equal opportunity, while critics argue the bill undermines efforts to address social disparities.^[57]
  • The Florida Legislature passes SB 1296 to require at least half of the employees represented by a public workers union, such as teachers, to participate in certification elections. Supporters argue the bill ensures that unions have the support of the employees they represent, while critics argue the bill weakens unions. The bill does not affect public safety employees unions such as police and firefighters.^[58]
  • Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo scores 83 points in the Heat's victory over the Washington Wizards at the Kaseya Center. This is the second most points scored by a single player in an NBA game, second only to Wilt Chamberlain's 100 points scored in a 1962 game.^[59]
• March 11 – The Florida Legislature unanimously passes SB 178 (Bridgewater Act) to allow high school head coaches to pay up to $15,000 annually of their own money for players' essential needs. The bill is named after NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who was suspended from a high school coaching position for spending money on his players' meals and transportation.^[60]
• March 12
  • The Florida Legislature passes HB 991 requiring voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship to vote. Supporters argue the bill preserves election integrity, while critics argue this bill will disenfranchise eligible voters who may not have certain documents. Supporters call this bill the Florida version of the proposed federal SAVE Act.^[61]
  • The Florida Legislature passes HB 757 as a sweeping school safety package. The bill mandates training to help faculty detect mental health issues, mandates that public colleges and universities create plans for active shooter responses, and allows trained public college and university faculty to carry firearms. This bill is, in part, a response to the 2025 Florida State University shooting. Critics warn that arming faculty will not increase school safety.^[62]
  • The Florida Legislature passes HB 1471 creating a procedure to designate domestic terrorist organizations. Supporters argue the bill is a public safety measure, while critics argue the bill will be used to attack opposing views.^[63]
  • The Florida Legislature passes SB 182 as a broad education package. The bill requires every public school to place George Washington and Abraham Lincoln portraits and have students be proficient in cursive writing by the fifth grade, creates a teacher mentorship program for public schools, and allows small private schools to operate in commercial buildings without rezoning.^[64]
• March 13
  • The Florida Legislature passes SB 484 to regulate data centers. The bill allows local governments to plan the development of data centers and limits passing data center operating costs to consumers as public utilities. However, the bill does not restrict non-disclosure agreements between governments and data center companies.^[65]
  • The regular session of the Florida Legislature concluded with over 200 bills sent to the governor. However, the Legislature failed to pass the annual budget bill; the state government will enter a shutdown if a budget bill is not passed by July 1.^[66]
  • Boca Raton City Council member Andy Thomson wins the 2026 Boca Raton mayoral election by five votes (7,572 votes), defeating his Republican opponents, energy executive Mike Liebelson (7,567 votes) and Boca Raton Vice Mayor Fran Nachlas (3,967 votes). Thomson is the first Democrat elected as Boca Raton mayor in over 30 years.^[67]
• March 14 – The Florida Federation of College Republicans asks to disband the University of Florida chapter of College Republicans following a screenshot showing two students performing a Nazi salute. In response, UF deactivates the UF College Republicans as a registered student organization. The UF College Republicans, represented by Anthony Sabtini, sues UF, claiming the deactivation violates the First Amendment.^[68][69]
• March 16 – A 19-year-old Mexican man dies while in ICE custody at the Glades County Detention Center in Moore Haven. ICE reports his death as a suicide.^[70]

• April 20–April 24 – Special legislative session of the Florida Legislature on congressional redistricting.^[71]
• June 11–July 19 – The 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted between the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens will host some matches, including the match for third place.
• August 18 – Democratic and Republican primaries for the 2026 Florida gubernatorial election and 2026 United States Senate special election in Florida.^[72]
• November 3 –
  • 2026 Florida gubernatorial election^[73]
  • 2026 Florida Attorney General election
  • 2026 Florida Chief Financial Officer election
  • 2026 Florida Commissioner of Agriculture election
  • 2026 Florida Senate election
  • 2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida
  • 2026 United States Senate special election in Florida
• October – Jury trial scheduled for Phoenix Ikner, the suspect in the 2025 Florida State University shooting.^[74]

• December – The 2026 G20 Miami summit will be held at Trump National Doral Miami in Doral, Florida.^[75]

• 2026 in the United States