2026 United States Senate special election in Florida

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2026 United States Senate special election in Florida
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Party Republican Democratic
Incumbent U.S. senator

Ashley Moody [a]
Republican



The 2026 United States Senate special election in Florida is expected to be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Florida, to fill in the last two years of former Republican senator Marco Rubio’s term, who resigned his seat to become United States secretary of state under President Donald Trump's second administration. [1] Primary elections will be held on August 18, 2026.

Contents

According to Florida law, if a U.S. Senate seat becomes vacant, the governor has authority to appoint a temporary replacement until the next general election. The appointee holds the position until the vacancy is filled by a special election during the next general election cycle, which, in this case, is scheduled for November 3, 2026. [2] Governor Ron DeSantis chose Florida attorney general Ashley Moody to replace Rubio in the Senate. [3] She is running in the special election to complete the term.

This will be the first U.S. Senate special election in Florida since two elections in 1936.

Interim appointment

Appointee

Considered but not appointed

Declined to be considered

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Filed paperwork

  • Josue Larose, lobbyist and perennial candidate [9]
  • Alix Toulme, religion founder and perennial candidate [10]

Publicly expressed interest

Declined

Endorsements

Ashley Moody
Executive branch officials
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
Multi-county officials
  • 15 state attorneys [18]
County officials
Organizations

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2025
CandidateRaisedSpentCash on hand
Jake Lang (R)$28,722$26,938$1,784
Ashley Moody (R)$2,392,467$129,965$2,262,502
Source: Federal Election Commission [20]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Filed paperwork

Publicly expressed interest

Withdrawn

Endorsements

Jennifer Jenkins
U.S. representatives
State legislators
Josh Weil (withdrawn)
Individuals

Fundraising

Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.

Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2025
CandidateRaisedSpentCash on hand
Alan Grayson (D)$62,827$65,552$124,193
Josh Weil (D)$15,774,322$15,552,478$221,846
Source: Federal Election Commission [20]

Independents

Declined

Third parties

American Party

Filed paperwork

  • Jason Standridge [40]

Veterans Party

Filed paperwork

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
Inside Elections [42] Solid RAugust 12, 2025
The Cook Political Report [43] Solid RAugust 18, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball [44] Safe RAugust 12, 2025
Race To The WH [45] Lean RSeptember 4, 2025

Notes

  1. ↑ Marco Rubio, the three-term senator of Florida, was nominated by President Donald Trump to be the United States Secretary of State in his second cabinet. On January 20, 2025, he was confirmed by the Senate as Secretary of State and subsequently resigned his seat. Governor Ron DeSantis has chosen Ashley Moody to replace him.

References

  1. ↑ Beggin, Riley. "Trump taps Marco Rubio for Secretary of State". USA TODAY . Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Chapter 100 Section 161 - 2024 Florida Statutes". m.flsenate.gov. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Dixon, Matt (January 16, 2025). "Ron DeSantis picks Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to fill Rubio's Senate seat". NBC News . Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  4. 1 2 Ogles, Jacob (November 12, 2024). "Laurel Lee part of conversation for Marco Rubio's Senate seat". Florida Politics . Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  5. ↑ Gancarski, A.G. (January 11, 2025). "'Absolutely not': Gov. DeSantis says he won't appoint himself to replace Marco Rubio in the Senate". Florida Politics . Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Lara Trump removes herself from consideration for Florida Senate, ending speculation". The Associated Press . December 22, 2024. Retrieved December 22, 2024– via WPDE-TV.
  7. ↑ DeLuca, Alex (March 12, 2025). "Meet the January 6 Rioter Running for Marco Rubio's U.S. Senate Seat". Miami New Times . Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Wilson, Drew (March 20, 2025). "Ashley Moody's Senate campaign touts clean sweep of GOP Sheriffs". Florida Politics . Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  9. ↑ "LAROSE, JOSUE ECONOMIST - Candidate overview - FEC.gov". FEC.gov. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  10. ↑ "TOULME, ALIX CHRISTOPHER MR. JR. - Candidate overview". FEC.gov. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  11. ↑ Leonard, Kimberly (March 31, 2025). "Democrats' Florida Sixth sense". Politico . Retrieved April 1, 2025. Rep. CORY MILLS (R-Fla.) told Playbook over the weekend that he was still 'eyeballing the seat' for Senate that will be up for election in 2026.
  12. ↑ Fineout, Gary; Leonard, Kimberly (July 11, 2025). "He was DeSantis' 'bulldog.' Will Trump help Florida's attorney general stick around?". Politico . Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  13. ↑ Gancarski, A.G. (July 25, 2025). "Donald Trump endorses Ashley Moody's return to U.S. Senate". Florida Politics . Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  14. ↑ Gancarski, A.G. (March 28, 2025). "Rick Scott endorses Ashley Moody in 2026 Senate race". Florida Politics . Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Delegation for 8.12.25: Redder state — Chinese spyware — aquaculture — buses — Turkey". Florida Politics . August 12, 2025. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  16. ↑ Leonard, Kimberly; Domínguez, Isa (April 22, 2025). "Donalds faces the anti-DOGE music". Politico . Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  17. ↑ Ogles, Jacob (April 4, 2025). "'An exceptional leader': Laurel Lee wants Ashley Moody to remain in the Senate". Florida Politics . Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  18. ↑ Ogles, Jacob (March 19, 2025). "Every Republican State Attorney in Florida endorses Ashley Moody's re-election to U.S. Senate". Florida Politics . Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  19. ↑ "Maggie's List Announces First Round of 2026 Senate Endorsements". maggieslist.org. Maggie's List. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  20. 1 2 "2026 Election United States Senate - Florida". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission . Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  21. ↑ Waymer, Jim (September 10, 2025). "Jennifer Jenkins to run for U.S. Senate". Florida Today.
  22. 1 2 Ogles, Jacob (July 31, 2025). "Josh Weil drops out of U.S. Senate race against Ashley Moody". Florida Politics . Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  23. ↑ "CRUZ, PAUL RON - Candidate overview". FEC.gov. January 1, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  24. ↑ "DIMOLA, FRANK - Candidate overview". FEC.gov. January 1, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  25. ↑ "DOUGHERTY, KAEL - Candidate overview". FEC.gov. January 1, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  26. ↑ "GOULD, CHARLES AKA ALEX A - Candidate overview". FEC.gov. January 1, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  27. ↑ "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1890144". docquery.fec.gov. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  28. ↑ Singer, Jeff; Nir, David (August 21, 2024). "Morning Digest: Republicans are starting to give up on Kari Lake". The Downballot. Retrieved July 14, 2025. Grayson, who was already well into the perennial candidate stage of his career...
  29. ↑ Lemongello, Steven (April 24, 2025). "Alan Grayson jumps into Orlando state Senate race alongside Bracys". Orlando Sentinel . Retrieved July 14, 2025. Former congressman turned perennial candidate Alan Grayson
  30. ↑ "Campaign Documents - Florida Department of State". dos.elections.myflorida.com. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  31. ↑ "MCBRIDE, EVELYN JANE'-MARIE DR - Candidate overview". FEC.gov. January 1, 2019.
  32. ↑ "STEVENS, DENNIS GENE MR - Candidate overview". FEC.gov. January 1, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  33. ↑ Leonard, Kimberly (August 5, 2025). "Jerry Demings floats trial balloon". Politico . Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  34. ↑ Perry, Mitch (September 4, 2025). "Jared Moskowitz says he's not looking at Senate run; hopes he's not forced to". Florida Phoenix . Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  35. ↑ Gancarski, A.G. (July 31, 2025). "Angie Nixon considers Senate run, along with other possibilities". Florida Politics . Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  36. ↑ DeFede, Jim (May 16, 2025). "Trump whistleblower Alexander Vindman eyeing Florida Senate run". CBS News . Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  37. 1 2 Ogles, Jacob (August 6, 2025). "Jennifer Jenkins brings on campaign team as Florida Democrats rally around potential Senate bid". Florida Politics . Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  38. ↑ Klein, Howie (June 18, 2025). "Early Money = Movement Power: Waiting To Donate Is A Gift To The Establishment, Whether GOP Or DCCC". Blue America. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  39. ↑ Perano, Ursula; Diaz, Daniella (April 23, 2025). "Do Democrats Even Believe They Can Win Senate Seats in Florida and Texas?". NOTUS . Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  40. ↑ "STANDRIDGE, JASON CLYDE MR. - Candidate overview - FEC.gov". FEC.gov. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  41. ↑ "GREEN, JUSTIN MR - Candidate overview". FEC.gov. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  42. ↑ "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  43. ↑ "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  44. ↑ "2026 Senate ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  45. ↑ "2026 Senate Forecast". Race to the WH. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
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