By Anita Todd
WINTER HAVEN – Bobby Williams wears many hats: Christian, pastor, husband, founder, and business owner. If all that isn’t enough to keep him busy, he wants to add governor to the list.
On Tuesday, Aug. 18, Williams hopes to receive enough votes as a Republican candidate in Florida’s 2026 primary election to advance to the November general election. Governor Ron DeSantis is term limited and cannot seek reelection.
“We’ve got to get back to ‘We the People,’” Williams said. “I’m with the people every day. I’m not sitting in a big office. I’m out praying with people for their anxiety and stress. I hear their concerns because I deal with it every day.”
Williams said politicians may make promises with the best of intentions while campaigning, but too often fail to follow through once elected.
“Some are trying to silence me because I understand that when they get elected, they forget reality and the struggles that people have,” he said. “I am willing to go against our government because our state is tired of politicians who don’t stand up for them.”
Williams also said mainstream media outlets have largely overlooked his campaign. He said he has run his campaign without press coverage and is rarely mentioned beyond his name alongside the other candidates.
“If I can get out in front of people, it’s a win,” Williams said.
Despite what he describes as a lack of media and political support, Williams said his campaign has accomplished things others told him were impossible.
When he first entered the governor’s race, Williams said he was told he would need at least $1.4 million to run a statewide campaign. Instead, he said, he has mounted his campaign with approximately $70,000. He also said he has no endorsements or GOP officials supporting his campaign.
If they were by his side, they would have to move quickly. Williams said he has traveled throughout the state, shaking hands, listening to Floridians and sharing his platform.
“Don’t New York my Florida” is one of his campaign mantras, reflecting his concerns about what he considers the state’s rapid overdevelopment. He points to “massive data centers, corporate control and illegal immigration” as issues contributing to what he describes as a state of emergency.
Williams said he wants to replace members of all state-level boards because, in his view, they do not adequately represent Floridians.
“They don’t fight for us,” he said. “The average Floridian is a couple who are a sheriff’s deputy and teacher who are just barely hanging on financially.”
His platform includes disaster-response readiness, eventually eliminating property taxes, advocating for working-class Floridians and lowering the tax burden.
Although Williams said he does not have the support of the media or many political figures, he said he sees God’s favor throughout his campaign.
“We’ve got to get God back into government and God back into schools,” he said.
Williams also points to his record of helping others as evidence of his commitment to serving Floridians.
“Where were these guys—the other candidates—when I was on the street feeding 1,000 a day?” Williams said. According to the organization’s website, The Freedom Tour’s mobile pantries serve communities in need by bringing nutritious food, essential supplies and support directly to underserved neighborhoods, food deserts, motels and trailer parks. The organization relies on volunteers to distribute fresh food, proteins and dry goods to people who may lack transportation or face other barriers. Williams founded the nonprofit about 10 years ago.
For Williams, the gubernatorial campaign represents an extension of the work he said he has been doing for years: serving people, listening to their concerns and advocating for those he believes are being overlooked.
Now, he is asking Florida voters to give him the opportunity to take that mission to Tallahassee.
