Relative unknowns running for Florida governor

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Florida Governor Rick Scott, facing the end of his term-limited time in office, has decided to challenge U.S. Senator Bill Nelson for his seat. That means Floridians will go to the polls to pick a new governor in 2018.

There are seven relatively unknown candidates for the position, but the state will have a chance to know them better through statewide televised debates.

FOX 13 showed pictures of each candidate to passersby in several public places. We asked voters if they recognized the faces and names of each candidate.

Most did not know any of the seven -- and they are not alone. A poll by Quinnipiac University, released on February 27 found:

-75 percent of voters polled did not know enough about state Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam to form an opinion

-81 percent of voters polled did not know enough about Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine to form an opinion

-83 percent of voters polled did not know enough about Rep. Ron DeSantis to form an opinion

-84 percent of voters polled did not know enough about Rep. Gwen Graham to form an opinion

-86 percent of voters polled did not know enough about State House Speaker Richard Corcoran to form an opinion

-89 percent of voters polled did not know enough about Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum to form an opinion

-93 percent of voters polled did not know enough about Orlando-area business executive Chris King to form an opinion

The debate between the four Democratic candidates for governor will be held April 18 at the FOX 13 studios in Tampa. The program will be moderated by FOX 13 Political Editor Craig Patrick.