ORLANDO, Fla. (CBS12) — Orlando legal professional and political megadonor John Morgan says he isn’t working for Florida governor in 2026, however he’s nonetheless seeking to reshape the state’s political panorama, this time by means of launching a brand-new political get together and providing a $100,000 prize to whoever comes up with its title.
Morgan, the founding father of the nationwide personal-injury company Morgan & Morgan, made the announcement in a video posted Monday on X, finishing months of hypothesis about whether or not the billboard-famous attorney would bounce into Florida’s open gubernatorial race. As a substitute, Morgan stated he plans to report forms within the coming days to shape a 3rd get together in Florida, arguing that the state’s two-party machine not displays the perspectives of maximum citizens.
“For concerning the closing yr and a part, numerous other people had been asking me to run for governor,” Morgan stated within the video. “It’s an actual honor. However I’m now not going to do it.” He stated his previous paintings backing statewide poll tasks completed extra for Floridians than he believes he may just succeed in as governor.
Morgan has performed a central function in a few of Florida’s maximum consequential poll fights during the last decade, bankrolling campaigns to legalize clinical marijuana and to lift the state’s minimal salary to $15 an hour. Each tasks handed in spite of Florida’s prime 60% threshold for constitutional amendments, cementing Morgan’s recognition as probably the most influential political financiers within the state.
Lately, Morgan has time and again floated the theory of working for governor — together with in 2018 and once more forward of the 2026 election – however in the long run determined the activity itself was once now not a just right are compatible. In his video, he joked concerning the calls for of campaigning and governing, pronouncing he prefers spending time with circle of relatives and keeping up an approach to life that may be incompatible with the administrative center.
Whilst ruling out a run, Morgan made transparent he isn’t stepping clear of politics. He stated he believes maximum Floridians agree on way more problems than partisan politics counsel and {that a} new get together may just be offering a house for citizens who really feel alienated by means of Democrats and Republicans alike.
If you are taking the ‘D’ down and the ‘R’ down, we agree on maximum issues.”
Morgan stated he’s going to hang a public contest to call the get together, with a $100,000 money prize for the successful submission. Information about how to go into, how lengthy the competition will closing, and the way a winner will probably be selected have now not but been launched. Morgan instructed Politico that he’s running to make sure the competition complies with state and federal rules governing promotions and rewards.
The transfer comes as Florida prepares for a wide-open governor’s race. Gov. Ron DeSantis is term-limited, and Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds emerged as an early frontrunner after receiving an endorsement from President Trump and posting large fundraising totals. Democrats also are lining up in the back of main contenders, together with former U.S. Rep. David Jolly, whilst different applicants discover impartial bids.
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As of early 2026, Florida’s voter registration rolls display Republicans with a transparent merit over Democrats, along a hastily rising collection of citizens who establish as impartial or unaffiliated. Political analysts say that fact is helping give an explanation for the enchantment, and the trouble, of launching a viable 0.33 get together within the state.
To realize traction, a brand new get together would wish to entire intensive prison filings, recruit credible applicants, elevate vital finances, and meet poll get admission to necessities throughout Florida’s 67 counties. Even with Morgan’s wealth and title popularity, mavens warning that development a aggressive political get together from scratch is a long-term enterprise.
Morgan has stressed out that his effort isn’t tied to nationwide third-party actions akin to No Labels and that he intends for the get together to be distinctly Floridian in its focal point. He has additionally stated he expects to proceed donating to applicants from each main events whilst the brand new group takes form.
For now, Morgan says his function is to spark a broader dialog about political polarization, beginning with a reputation that captures the get together’s undertaking.
“I consider what ails us is the two-party machine,” Morgan stated. “And I feel Florida may well be where the place one thing new starts.”