Dayna Foster

Dayna Foster graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from Florida Atlantic University, a graduate degree from Florida International University, and a graduate degree from Florida State University. Her career experience includes working as a teacher.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a South Florida native, math teacher, and a 2026 Democratic candidate for Governor of Florida, running on a promise to put people first. Raised by a single mother, I saw firsthand how public policy shapes everyday life for working families, and that lesson has stayed with me ever since.

At 19, I began giving back through the Broward County Library, helping patrons with homework, job applications, and access to opportunity. Five years ago, I returned to my alma mater, Fort Lauderdale High School, as a math teacher, and I continue to serve as a Young Adult Voices advocate, making sure the concerns of youth and young professionals are heard in civic life.

While working full-time, I earned a B.S. in Finance from Florida Atlantic University, followed by a Master of Science in Finance from Florida International University and a Master of Science in Information from Florida State University.

After the 2024 elections, I was frustrated by the lack of bold, people-first leadership, and I went back to school again to study Political Science at FSU, so that I could turn that frustration into action. I am running because I have lived the impact of Florida's policies firsthand, in a way too many politicians never have. I believe public service isn't a career move, it's a calling, and I’m tired of waiting for someone else to fight for working Floridians.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I'm running to expand economic opportunity and affordable housing so working Floridians can build secure, stable lives. As governor, I'll fund and protect the Sadowski Affordable Housing Trust Fund from legislative sweeps, reform zoning to expand supply, and develop public land through community land trusts that keep homes permanently affordable. I'll work to repeal the state ban on local rent control and pursue fairer revenue policy, like a surcharge on speculative non-resident property, so large corporations help fund the housing they depend on, not working families. On mobility, I'll expand workforce training and streamline access to capital for entrepreneurs in rural and underserved communities statewide.Every Floridian deserves healthcare they can afford and schools that set their kids up to succeed. As a public school teacher, I see daily how underfunded classrooms and unaffordable care hold families back. I'll push Medicaid expansion, expand support for federally qualified health centers, and pursue telehealth reimbursement parity so care reaches underserved areas. On education, I'll fight to fully fund public schools, raise teacher pay through a statewide schedule, invest in early learning, and expand mental health supports so students and educators can thrive.Safety and dignity go hand in hand. I support commonsense gun reform like universal background checks to close the private sale loophole, expanded safe storage requirements, and strengthening red flag protections by letting trained school-based mental health professionals initiate petitions with law enforcement review. Alongside that, I'll fight for comprehensive non-discrimination protections, defend reproductive freedom, and protect LGBTQ+ Floridians from having their rights used as political weapons. Building stronger communities means investing in prevention and protection, not fear, and treating every person with the dignity they deserve.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I'm passionate about protecting reproductive freedom as every person deserves the right to make decisions about their own body without government interference, and I'll fight any effort to prevent access to safe, legal abortion. I am also strongly motivated to protect and preserve Florida's environment as I believe we owe future generations a state that isn't sacrificed to special interests and unchecked development. Lastly, I care deeply about government accountability and transparency, because Floridians deserve leaders who make decisions in the open, welcome scrutiny, and answer to the people, not to lobbyists or campaign donors.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Foster For Florida has been endorsed by Mayor Ruth Critton of Eatonville, FL, Orlando 50501, Bluelusional, Orange County Democratic Environmental Caucus, MomsRising, Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida, and Muslims for Democracy and Fairness. These endorsements reflect growing support for my vision of a more equitable, affordable, and opportunity-driven Florida. Our campaign has built a strong grassroots movement across the state, and this support demonstrates the enthusiasm behind our message of affordability, educational excellence, economic opportunity, healthcare access, gun reform, and immigrant rights.