Well deserved.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued an executive order declaring John Anderson‘s “Seminole Wind” as the official anthem of the Sunshine State, while urging the state legislature to officially recognize the song as part of the state’s culture.
The country music legend and Apopka, Florida native passed away last week, on October 21, at the age of 71. And after his passing, fellow country star John Rich urged DeSantis to honor Anderson by naming “Seminole Wind” as the official state song of Florida:
“Ron DeSantis should consider making “Seminole Wind” the official state song of Florida. John Anderson captured the spirit of this state in his song, and was a native born Floridian. Gov DeSantis, would you consider making that happen? A bunch of us would fly down if you would.”
. @RonDeSantis should consider making “Seminole Wind” the official state song of Florida. John Anderson captured the spirit of this state in his song, and was a native born Floridian. Gov DeSantis, would you consider making that happen? A bunch of us would fly down if you would.
— John Rich
(@johnrich) October 22, 2026
The title track to his 1992 album, “Seminole Wind” was written by Anderson and released as a single later that same year, eventually hitting #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
The song was a personal one for the Florida native, lamenting the destruction of the Everglades and the displacement of the native Seminole tribe. “Seminole Wind” was embraced by the Native Americans, who granted Anderson permission to film their land for the music video and even appeared alongside him in the video themselves.
And now, Governor DeSantis has officially recognized its place as an official anthem of Florida.
In an executive order issued today, DeSantis praised “Seminole Wind” for helping to expedite the restoration of the Everglades:
“Seminole Wind has served as the unofficial anthem of the State of Florida since its debut in 1992, its lyrics honoring Floridians across the Peninsula, including the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Osceola, and the conservation-minded spirit of Floridians from Okeechobee to Micanopy …
The sentiments of Seminole Wind positively influenced a generational investment in protecting Florida’s heritage, natural environment, and way of life, resulting in the expedited restoration of America’s Everglades, the very place Anderson sought to protect in Seminole Wind.”
And he ordered that the song be given its proper recognition in the state’s history:
“I hereby establish Seminole Wind by John Anderson as Florida’s Anthem, a separate designation from the State Anthem created under section 15.0326, Florida Statutes, that has had little to no use since its establishment. …
I hereby direct the Secretary of State to take all actions necessary to effectuate this order, including the updating of publications, websites, materials, records, resources, and documents under the jurisdiction of the Department of State to provide for public awareness of this designation. Further, the Secretary is directed to take all necessary steps to provide for awareness of this designation within the State Capitol and to erect historic markers within the City of Apopka, Orange County, depicting the contributions of John Anderson to Florida’s heritage.”
In addition to the recognition for “Seminole Wind,” DeSantis also directed the Department of Environmental Protection to rename a popular wildlife trail in Anderson’s hometown after the country music legend:
“I hereby direct the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection to work with the St. John’s Water Management District to designate the wildlife drive and trail system within the Lake Apopka North Shore as the John Anderson Wildlife Drive and Trail System, a natural treasure that has benefitted from the conservation-minded stewardship Anderson inspired through Seminole Wind.”
While the executive order could theoretically be rescinded by future governors, DeSantis also called on the legislature to make these designations permanent:
“I further encourage the incoming Legislature to codify Seminole Wind in chapter 15, Florida Statutes, to further provide John Anderson well deserved recognition.”
You love to see it.