A historic political deadlock: Florida's closest gubernatorial race in history

Countries & Cities · Published 16 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 2018, Florida’s political landscape nearly fractured along a razor-thin margin. The race for governor became a high-stakes battle between an unapologetically progressive mayor and a staunch conservative congressman, ending in a result so close it required a machine recount to determine the winner.

The 2018 election pitted Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum against Republican U.S. Representative Ron DeSantis. Gillum entered the race as an insurgent, having secured an upset victory in the Democratic primary by defeating better-funded opponents. His platform was notably progressive, earning him a high-profile endorsement from Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. In contrast, DeSantis ran on a conservative platform that included promises to reduce corporate income tax and opposition to what he termed a 'government takeover of health care.'

The competition was defined by its intensity and narrow margins. By the closing hours of election night, the two candidates were separated by just 1 percentage point, with both hovering at approximately 50 percent of the vote. This margin proved to be the closest in Florida's gubernatorial history. The results were significant enough to trigger a mandatory machine recount, which concluded on November 15, 2018. DeSantis was ultimately certified as the winner, marking his victory over Gillum, who had sought to become Florida's first black governor.

While the race was a landmark for local districts—with Gillum winning Duval County for the first time since 1986 and DeSantis winning Jefferson County for the first time since 1884—it did not shift the broader balance of power in the U.S. Senate as some had anticipated. The GOP retained control of the chamber despite a furious challenge in Texas, highlighting how localized political shifts can sometimes fail to alter national legislative dynamics.

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