And the richest among us shall lead ...

We’ve entered an era in politics where personal money doesn’t just talk — it roars. And the noise is getting louder every day. The type of person interested in running governments — from the presidency, to the Cabinet, to the Florida Legislature — increasingly has a bank account far beyond from that of the common man, even as they promise to best serve everyday folks.

The millionaires and billionaires we are electing to serve us — or those who are appointed — may be sincere and wellmeaning, but nobody would ever call them blue-collar.

The other day, the Sun Sentinel’s Anthony Man reported that Broward developer and entrepreneur Ron Bergeron is considering a run for governor in 2018.

Bergeron is a colorful, likable man who wears a cowboy hat, a fringed jacket and a big belt buckle. He calls himself Alligator Ron. He’s also wealthy beyond most people’s dreams. His businesses involve highway construction, rock pits, agriculture, garbage collection and real estate development, to name a few. You’ve probably seen signs for the Davie rodeo grounds that bear his name.

Bergeron, a Republican, has served on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for about a decade. However, he has no other record of government work, which puts him in the same league as a lot of other wealthy people stepping into public life these days.

Another multi-millionaire considering a run for governor is John Morgan, a trial lawyer from Orlando who pushed the medical marijuana amendment to success last year. Beyond his “for the people” law firm, Morgan has business interests that include hotels, shopping centers, an advertising agency and a billboard company, to name a few. Like Bergeron, he is a colorful personality and wealthier than most people can imagine. A big Democratic fundraiser, he gave former Gov. Charlie Crist a job after his failed 2010 bid for the U.S. Senate. But Morgan has no government experience.

Also considering a run for governor is Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, a multimillionaire businessman who founded a duty-free shopping and media business associated with the cruise industry. Levine plans to tour the state over the next several months and make a decision before the summer. He, at least, has some government experience.

And let’s not forget our current governor, Rick Scott, is a multimillionaire who spent $75 million of his own money to win the governor’s mansion in 2010. At present, he’s rumored to be recruiting other millionaires to run for governor, unhappy with the potential candidates currently in the mix.

It doesn’t stop at the governor’s mansion, either. Last year, the Tampa Bay Times reported that 55 of the 160 members of the Florida Legislature were millionaires.

Then there’s the federal level, where President Trump, who largely financed his own campaign, is said to be worth over $3 billion, although he claims the figure is closer to $10 billion. Again, Trump had no government experience before his election.

More surprising, the collective wealth of those chosen for Trump’s Cabinet is over $13 billion, or about 34 times greater than the wealth of the Cabinet members serving former President George W. Bush when he left office. Among Trump’s picks: Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is reportedly worth $5.1 billion. Commerce Secretary nominee Wilbur Ross is worth $2.5 billion. Small business administrator Linda McMahon and her husband are worth an estimated $1.35 billion. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is worth a comparatively modest $365 million. You get the idea.

Then there was Florida Panthers owner Vincent Viola, who was tapped to become Secretary of the Army until he dropped out last week, unable to disentangle himself from his business ties. Viola is a billionaire.

None of this is to criticize wealthy people who run for office or serve when asked. On the contrary, these are people who have worked hard and done well.

But given their growing numbers, it’s worth pausing and taking note of what’s happening here. Average Americans are increasingly being represented by people whose bank accounts look nothing like their own.

It’s predicted that to be successful in Florida’s next gubernatorial campaign, a candidate will have to spend $100 million. It takes a lot of money to run statewide in Florida, with its 10 media markets, and raising money is tough. Far easier for someone with deep pockets to come in and clear the field.

But success in business is no guarantee of success in government. While there is something to be said for “fresh eyes,” there’s also something to be said for experience, relationships and knowing how the process works. And it’s fair to wonder whether the ultra-wealthy can understand the problems of the middle class, let alone do something to solve them.

The wealth disparity has been growing for some time, especially in Congress and the Florida Legislature. The rich and powerful have, after all, had greater access because of their political donations or fundraisers.

But as we start to hear the names of those interested in becoming Florida’s next governor, it is worth taking a moment to point out the pivot from “career politician” to “ultra-wealthy.”

Moneyed people have long had outsized influence on our politics. Now they’re increasingly coming out from behind the curtains to personally take the reins.

The question is, if affluent people increasingly run our government, will they listen to average citizens?