ORLANDO, Fla. (CBS12) — Orlando attorney and political megadonor John Morgan says he is not running for Florida governor in 2026, but he is still trying to reshape the state’s political landscape, this time by launching a brand-new political party and offering a $100,000 prize to whoever comes up with its name.
Morgan, the founder of the national personal-injury firm Morgan & Morgan, made the announcement in a video posted Monday on X, ending months of speculation about whether the billboard-famous lawyer would jump into Florida’s open gubernatorial race. Instead, Morgan said he plans to file paperwork in the coming days to form a third party in Florida, arguing that the state’s two-party system no longer reflects the views of most voters.
“For about the last year and a half, a lot of people have been asking me to run for governor,” Morgan said in the video. “It’s a real honor. But I’m not going to do it.” He said his past work backing statewide ballot initiatives accomplished more for Floridians than he believes he could achieve as governor.
Morgan has played a central role in some of Florida’s most consequential ballot fights over the last decade, bankrolling campaigns to legalize medical marijuana and to raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. Both initiatives passed despite Florida’s high 60% threshold for constitutional amendments, cementing Morgan’s reputation as one of the most influential political financiers in the state.
In recent years, Morgan has repeatedly floated the idea of running for governor — including in 2018 and again ahead of the 2026 election – but ultimately decided the job itself was not a good fit. In his video, he joked about the demands of campaigning and governing, saying he prefers spending time with family and maintaining a lifestyle that would be incompatible with the office.
While ruling out a run, Morgan made clear he is not stepping away from politics. He said he believes most Floridians agree on far more issues than partisan politics suggest and that a new party could offer a home for voters who feel alienated by Democrats and Republicans alike.
If you take the ‘D’ down and the ‘R’ down, we agree on most things.”
Morgan said he will hold a public contest to name the party, with a $100,000 cash prize for the winning submission. Details about how to enter, how long the contest will last, and how a winner will be chosen have not yet been released. Morgan told Politico that he is working to ensure the contest complies with state and federal laws governing promotions and rewards.
The move 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 massive fundraising totals. Democrats are also lining up behind leading contenders, including former U.S. Rep. David Jolly, while other candidates explore independent bids.
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As of early 2026, Florida’s voter registration rolls show Republicans with a clear advantage over Democrats, alongside a rapidly growing number of voters who identify as independent or unaffiliated. Political analysts say that reality helps explain the appeal, and the difficulty, of launching a viable third party in the state.
To gain traction, a new party would need to complete extensive legal filings, recruit credible candidates, raise significant funds, and meet ballot access requirements across Florida’s 67 counties. Even with Morgan’s wealth and name recognition, experts caution that building a competitive political party from scratch is a long-term endeavor.
Morgan has stressed that his effort is not tied to national third-party movements such as No Labels and that he intends for the party to be distinctly Floridian in its focus. He has also said he expects to continue donating to candidates from both major parties while the new organization takes shape.
For now, Morgan says his goal is to spark a broader conversation about political polarization, starting with a name that captures the party’s mission.
“I believe what ails us is the two-party system,” Morgan said. “And I think Florida could be the place where something new begins.”
