Full Breakdown
John Morgan Launches $100,000 Contest to Name New Florida Third Party
5/20/2026, 8:42:23 AM
Background & Core Event
Orlando attorney John Morgan, founder of the national personal-injury firm Morgan & Morgan, has been active in Florida politics, leading the 2021 amendment legalizing medical marijuana and the 2022 measure raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour. After announcing on April 13, 2026 that he would not run for governor, Morgan launched the Morgan & Morgan Third Party Name Contest on May 19, 2026. The contest invites U.S. residents to propose a name at namethepartycontest.com; the winner receives $100,000. Submissions must be English, five words or fewer, and free of profanity, racism, bigotry, copyright violations, threats, or AI-generated content. Eligibility: U.S. adults 18+, 19+ in Alabama and Nebraska, 21+ in Mississippi. The deadline is 11:59 p.m. ET on June 2, 2026; judging ends mid-June with a winner expected around June 16.
Official Statements & Responses
In a May 19 press release, Morgan said the two-party system is “freezing us up” and that dropping the “D” and the “R” shows broad agreement on most issues. He framed the contest as a direct appeal to voters to “kickstart a real third party movement in the United States.” Contest officials added that only entries submitted through the official website will be considered and that pre-May 19 submissions are ineligible.
Verbatim Quotes
- “After running two very successful constitutional amendment campaigns, I’ve learned that once we drop the ‘D’ and the ‘R’, most of us agree on most issues,” — John Morgan, Founder, Morgan & Morgan
- “The two-party system—the extremes to the right and the extremes to the left—is freezing us up.” — John Morgan, Founder, Morgan & Morgan
- “I hope we in Florida can kickstart a real third party movement in the United States,” — John Morgan, Founder, Morgan & Morgan
- “I do believe that my constitutional amendments raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour and legalizing marijuana has been more impactful than anything any Governor has ever done,” — John Morgan, Founder, Morgan & Morgan
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the winner’s announcement date: some cite June 14 as the end of judging, others note a selection around June 16. No statements from Florida election officials or opposition groups have been reported, leaving the registration and ballot-access process unclear.
Why It Matters
If the new party gains ballot access, it could offer a centrist alternative to the Democratic and Republican parties in Florida and influence the 2026 elections. Morgan’s call for bipartisan compromise reflects growing voter frustration with partisan polarization and may inspire other actors to explore third-party initiatives.
What’s Next
The winner is expected in mid-June. Morgan’s team will then work to place the new party on future ballots for upcoming races. Observers will monitor how the platform develops and whether it gains traction among Florida voters.
