Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett Joins Florida Governor’s Race

SURFSIDE – Charles Burkett, the four-term Mayor of Surfside, Florida, has announced his candidacy for Governor in the 2026 election Florida Politics.com reports. Burkett, 64, is a real estate investment executive who has served as Surfside’s Mayor during three separate terms, including leading the town through the COVID-19 pandemic and the tragic Champlain Towers South condo collapse in 2021.​

During his tenure, Burkett faced several controversies, particularly involving clashes with the Surfside Police Department. The town experienced significant instability within its police leadership, having four different police chiefs within a 14-month period. These changes were attributed to various controversies, including severance pay lawsuits and harassment claims, contributing to a tumultuous environment in the town’s administration. ​

In the 2022 Surfside mayoral election, Burkett lost his re-election bid to Orthodox Jewish Mayor Shlomo Danzinger, , placing third in a three-way contest. Some attributed his defeat to unrest at Town Hall and his contentious relationship with the police department. Despite these setbacks, Burkett returned to office two years later, emphasizing his anti-overdevelopment stance, which resonated with voters more than the incumbent Mayor’s platform.​

Burkett has been contemplating a gubernatorial run for some time. On his website, TeamSurfside.com, he stated his intention to bring the passion and dedication he has for Surfside to all Floridians. His campaign priorities include enforcing immigration laws, cutting taxes, limiting gambling to current allowances, restricting housing development until public transportation is expanded, and promoting environmental stewardship.​

Currently registered without party affiliation, Burkett acknowledges he may need to choose between the Democratic and Republican parties to enhance his electoral prospects. He has expressed reservations about aligning with the current Democratic Party, noting its departure from the values he associates with the era of John F. Kennedy. Regarding potential Republican rivals, Burkett commented that U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who entered the Governor’s race last month, likely holds an advantage over First Lady Casey DeSantis, rumored to be considering a run, due to Donalds’ endorsement from former President Donald Trump.​

Burkett emphasizes that his campaign will focus on presenting his positions to voters without hostility. He stated, “I’m going to put my positions out there, and if voters think that’s something they want, that’s fine. If not, that’s OK too.”