Scott Eckhard Jewett is running for Florida governor as the Libertarian Party candidate in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Sarasota-area voters will see his name on the ballot alongside candidates from both major parties and several with no party preference.

Jewett, a Boca Raton resident, filed his candidacy on July 12, 2023, and qualified on June 10, 2026, by paying the qualifying fee, according to the Florida Division of Elections. His running mate for lieutenant governor is Nicole Skelly. Jewett has branded his campaign "Libertarian 2.0," according to The Floridian.

The race also includes Byron Donalds (Republican) and David Jolly (Democratic). Candidates with no party preference include Charles Burkett, Dean Ocean Abrams, Frank Russo, Jeffrey Peter Datto and Moliere Dimanche, according to BallotReady election data.

Candidate information

  • Full name: Scott Eckhard Jewett
  • Party: Libertarian
  • Residence: Boca Raton, Florida
  • Education: High school diploma, James Madison High School; MBA, San Diego State University (1986)

Experience

Jewett's background is in franchising and business, according to his Libertarian Party profile and BallotReady data. He served as CEO of Pinspiration Franchise Group LLC from 2018 to 2025. He has been a senior advisor at iFranchise Group since 2006. He co-founded FileBank and Unicorn Franchising, and served as lead investigator at Wisp Energy from 2022 to 2025.

On the issues

The following positions are stated by Jewett's campaign.

Homeowners insurance: Jewett has said he would make fixing Florida's homeowners insurance market his top priority. He has called for restoring competition, holding carriers accountable and making coverage affordable so families can keep their homes.

Energy: Jewett has said he supports positioning Florida at the forefront of nuclear energy by championing small modular reactors, or SMRs, and ultimately thorium-powered SMRs. He has said the goal is energy independence, high-tech jobs and lower power bills.

Immigration: Jewett has said he would enforce immigration laws stringently and deter companies from hiring undocumented workers. He has also called for a streamlined and expanded work visa program that balances the need for immigrant labor with concerns about illegal immigration.

Criminal justice reform: Jewett has said he supports eliminating mandatory minimum sentences, reforming cash bail and ending private prisons.

School choice: Jewett has said he supports school choice.

Jewett is also described as a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment who advocates for responsible gun ownership, according to his Libertarian Party profile. The general election is Nov. 3, 2026.