Martin Hyde is running for Florida State Senate District 22 as a No Party Affiliation candidate. He faces Republican James Buchanan and Democrat Lew Wasserman in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Asked why he is seeking office, Hyde said in our candidate questionnaire: "To continue to be a loud voice for citizen interests instead of a yes vote for 'Special interests.'"

Candidate information

Party affiliation: Hyde said in our questionnaire: "No party affiliation based on the reality that both major parties are controlled by special interest donors and the extreme factions of their ideology."

Residence: Hyde has lived in Sarasota for 27 years, according to his campaign website. He was born in the United Kingdom and is a naturalized U.S. citizen.

Education: Hyde said in our questionnaire: "In the Uk graduating from St Joseph's college."

Occupation: Hyde said in our questionnaire: "Businessman with 38 years of CEO level experience on both sides of Thr Atlantic."

Family: Hyde said in our questionnaire: "Four Sons ranging from my eldest who is a sergeant in the Sarasota sheriff's department to my youngest who is a Freshman at Embry Riddell."

Experience and public service

Hyde served as CEO at Gulf Business Services, according to Florida Politics. He ran in the 2022 U.S. House Florida District 16 Republican primary, according to his campaign website. He also ran for the Sarasota City Commission, according to Florida Politics. Earlier in his career, Hyde played professional soccer for Brighton and Southampton in the United Kingdom, according to Florida Politics.

Asked about previous elected or appointed offices, Hyde said in our questionnaire: "None."

On the issues

Independence from parties: Asked what an independent candidate offers that the two parties cannot, Hyde said in our questionnaire: "Exactly that independence free from having to pander to a narrow set of interests simply to contradict the other."

Differences from opponents: Hyde said in our questionnaire: "In the case of James Buchanan I'm not funded by property developers or AI interests. Lew Wasserman is a nice person but without any record of local advocacy. I don't represent anything beyond citizen interests as proven by over 500 appearances in front of local boards."

Live Local Act and home rule: Hyde told the Manatee Chamber of Commerce that the Live Local Act and SB-180 are bad for the community because they remove home rule on development and zoning. He said he will advocate to modify elements of those bills that affect local government's ability to make local decisions. On his campaign website, Hyde said bills like the Live Local Act have allowed Tallahassee to override local zoning, density and height restrictions in favor of developers.

Infrastructure: Hyde told the Manatee Chamber of Commerce that stormwater and water generally both need significant updates and investment as his top infrastructure solution for the region.

Elder care: Hyde said on his campaign website that Florida's policies on long-term care, memory care and family caregiver support are not what they should be. Drawing on personal experience caring for his father, who died from dementia, and his mother, who lives with him with around-the-clock care, he pledged to make elder care a legislative priority.

Taxes and spending: Hyde told the Manatee Chamber of Commerce that his priorities include keeping government out of anything it does not need to be involved in, no tax increases and rolling back fees for everyone.

Accomplishments: Asked what past accomplishments show he can handle the job, Hyde said in our questionnaire: "The successful transformation of failing businesses into successful ones and living well without being born into extraordinary privilege."

Life experience: Asked how his background shapes what he would do in the Senate, Hyde said in our questionnaire: "We are all the sum total of our experiences. I've had a colorful and memorable life with many ups and a few downs. Recognizing that good and bad are both just points in a journey while maintaining core values and a sense of perspective is what my life has taught me."