A look at the odds on ’18 governor’s race.

Tallahassee is a hot mess these days, with chaos, infighting and back-stabbing.

It’s like Shakespeare … except with less nobility.

Still, candidates are flocking to the 2018 race for governor like zombies to brains.

And, as of this week, we have two potential front-runners — Republican Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Democrat Gwen Graham, a former member of Congress and daughter of a previous governor, Bob Graham.

If I were a betting man (and I am), I’d put my money on Putnam.

Sure, he’s the ultimate career politician — a 42-year-old who has been in office for 20 years, railing against government while cashing a public paycheck the entire time.

But Putnam has a lot going for him. He’s affable and savvy, good at cracking jokes and ready to bust out his Polk County twang whenever it suits.

Just as important, Putnam has kissed the ring and rear end of almost every deep-pocketed interest in the state of Florida — from Big Sugar to the theme parks. So they are ready to back him.

Also — and this point really can’t be overstated — Democrats in this state are nincompoops who seem incapable of winning.

Seriously, I’m not sure Florida Dems could win a coin toss if you gave them heads and tails.

This is a party that lost to Rick Scott. Twice.

And last time, Democrats couldn’t even find a real Democrat to run. Instead, they found Charlie Crist — a Republicanturned-independent-turnedwhatever-he-needed-to-be.

Charlie would declare himself a munchkin if the nearest campaign was in Oz. Yet he was the party’s standard bearer.

Putnam’s campaign certainly isn’t a surprise. I first wrote about the possibility of him running for governor back in July … of 2007. (That’s true.)

But his persistence paid off. Five years ago, Republicans had three rising stars: Putnam, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater. But then Bondi took a bite out of every single dish on a bad-news buffet. And Atwater decided to help run a university … a favorite occupation of Tallahassee politicians.

So now we have Putnam. And I like his chances.

So do U.S. Sugar, Florida Power & Light, Walt Disney World and other companies that cut him checks for $100,000 or more in recent months.

Putnam is a big fan of using public money to subsidize private businesses. And businesses are big fans of politicians who espouse such principles.

Plus, Putnam also has been unusually unrepentant about his coziness with big business.

A few years ago, when media learned that Big Sugar had been whisking Florida politicians off to Texas for luxury hunting trips at a

Two years ago, I would’ve said John Morgan — with his brash and often profane ways — wouldn’t stand a chance.

private ranch, some of the exposed politicians apologized or offered excuses. Not Putnam. His staff literally slammed the door in the face of a Tampa Bay Times reporter seeking an explanation.

Businesses like politicians who act like that. And they reward them accordingly.

That’s not to say Democrats don’t have a chance. They do.

Graham is knowledgeable with a knack for empathy she seems to have inherited from her father. Plus, she has a background in education in a state where voters are desperate for reform.

Still, Graham isn’t wildly popular with her own party’s base, having supported the Keystone pipeline, opposed Nancy Pelosi as speaker and worked with Republicans (and against Democrats) on some parts of health care reform.

Plus, political lineage doesn’t guarantee a thing. Just ask Bud Chiles.

Other Democratic contenders include Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, who made a name for himself by standing up to the NRA in a way few Tallahassee politicians have been willing to do.

And 38-year-old Chris King, a successful housing exec from Winter Park with lots of connections, may be the race’s dark horse.

King has pounced upon the notion that jobs here in Florida don’t pay very well — an important point many candidates avoid talking about because the low-paying employers fund their campaigns.

And then there’s John “For the People” Morgan, who would turn the entire race on its head if he decides to run.

Two years ago, I would’ve said Morgan — with his brash and often profane ways — wouldn’t stand a chance. But now we’re in the “Grab ’em by the p***y” era where I’m not convinced there’s any such thing as “disqualifying” behavior in politics.

Plus, Morgan is smart, funny, persuasive and boasts a track record of personal success and wealth that voters seem to respect and reward.

For now, I’d still put my money on Putnam — if only because that’s where most of the vested interests have already put their money. And the big money usually wins.

But at least we have a real race this year … and only 18 months to go.