2026 United States Senate special election in Florida
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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 finish the last two years of former Republican Senator Marco Rubio's term, who resigned his seat to become United States secretary of state in President Donald Trump's second administration.[1] The primary election will be held August 18, 2026.
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November 3, 2026
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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.[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 1936. Democrats have not won a U.S. Senate election in Florida since 2012.
Interim appointment
Appointee
- Ashley Moody, Florida attorney general (2019–2025)[3]
Considered but not appointed
- Kat Cammack, U.S. representative from Florida's 3rd congressional district (2021–present)[3]
- Jay Collins, state senator from the 14th district (2022–2025)[3]
- Laurel Lee, U.S. representative from Florida's 15th congressional district (2023–present)[4]
- Cory Mills, U.S. representative from Florida's 7th congressional district (2023–present)[3]
- James Uthmeier, chief of staff to Governor Ron DeSantis (2021–2025)[4]
Declined to be considered
- Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida (2019–present), former U.S. representative from Florida's 6th congressional district (2013–2018), candidate for U.S. Senate in 2016, and candidate for president in 2024[5]
- Lara Trump, former co-chair of the Republican National Committee (2024–2025) and daughter-in-law of President Donald Trump[6]
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
Not on ballot
- Jake Lang, podcaster and participant in the January 6 U.S. Capitol attack[9]
- Alix Toulme, religion founder and perennial candidate[10]
Declined
- Matt Gaetz, former U.S. representative from Florida's 1st congressional district (2017–2024)[11]
Endorsements
Ashley Moody
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[12]
- U.S. senators
- U.S. representatives
- Aaron Bean, FL-04 (2023–present)[15]
- Gus Bilirakis, FL-12 (2007–present)[15]
- Vern Buchanan, FL-16 (2013–present)[16]
- Kat Cammack, FL-03 (2021–present)[15]
- Mario Díaz-Balart, FL-26 (2003–present)[15]
- Neal Dunn, FL-02 (2017–present)[15]
- Scott Franklin, FL-18 (2021–present)[15]
- Mike Haridopolos, FL-08 (2025–present)[15]
- Laurel Lee, FL-15 (2023–present)[17]
- Brian Mast, FL-21 (2017–present)[15]
- Jimmy Patronis, FL-01 (2025–present)[15]
- Multi-county officials
- 15 state attorneys[18]
- County officials
- Ric Bradshaw, Palm Beach County sheriff (2005–present) (Democratic)[8]
- Mike Chitwood, Volusia County sheriff (2017–present) (independent)[8]
- Chad Chronister, Hillsborough County sheriff (2017–present)[8]
- Rosie Cordero-Stutz, Miami-Dade County sheriff (2025–present)[8]
- Bob Gualtieri, Pinellas County sheriff (2011–present)[8]
- Grady Judd, Polk County sheriff (2005–present)[8]
- Dennis Lemma, Seminole County sheriff (2017–present)[8]
- John Mina, Orange County sheriff (2018–present) (Democratic)[8]
- T. K. Waters, Duval County sheriff (2022–present)[8]
- Morris A. Young, Gadsden County sheriff (2004–present) (Democratic)[8]
- 54 other county sheriffs[8]
- Labor unions
- Florida Fraternal Order of Police[19]
- Organizations
- Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida[20]
- Florida Association of Realtors[21]
- Florida Farm Bureau Federation[22]
- Maggie's List[23]
- National Association of Realtors[21]
- Senate Conservatives Fund[24]
- Political parties
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Jake Lang (R) | $31,334 | $27,276 | $4,058 |
| Ashley Moody (R) | $8,407,063 | $1,277,671 | $7,129,392 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[26] | |||
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Angie Nixon, state representative from the 13th district (2020–present)[27]
- Alex Vindman, former director of European affairs for the U.S. National Security Council, whistleblower in the 2019 Trump–Ukraine scandal, and brother of U.S. representative Eugene Vindman[28]
Did not qualify
- Joey Atkins, attorney and nominee for Florida's 26th congressional district in 2024[29]
- Alex Gould, business owner[30]
- Alan Grayson, former U.S. representative from Florida's 9th congressional district (2009–2011, 2013–2017)[31][32]
Withdrawn
- Jennifer Jenkins, former Brevard County school board member (running for U.S. House, endorsed Vindman)[33]
- Tamika Lyles, former chair of the Osceola County Democratic Black Caucus (running for U.S. House)[34]
- Hector Mujica, tech executive (running for U.S. House, endorsed Vindman)[35]
- Josh Weil, teacher, nominee for Florida's 6th congressional district in the 2025 special election, and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022[36]
Declined
- Jerry Demings, mayor of Orange County (2018–present) and husband of former U.S. representative Val Demings[37] (running for governor)
Endorsements
Alexander Vindman
- Local officials
- Jennifer Jenkins, former Brevard County school board member and former candidate for this seat[33]
- Individuals
- Paul Eaton, former deputy chief of staff for the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command[38]
- Hector Mujica, tech executive, former candidate for this seat and candidate for Florida's 26th congressional district in 2026[35]
- Organizations
Jennifer Jenkins (withdrawn)
- U.S. representatives
- Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, former FL-26 (2019–2021) and nominee for U.S. senate in 2024[40]
- State legislators
- Tina Polsky, state senator from the 30th district (2020–present)[40]
Hector Mujica (withdrawn)
- U.S. representatives
- Adam Smith, WA-09 (1997–present)[41]
Fundraising
Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.
| Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Joey Atkins (D) | $9,123 | $6,891 | $2,232 |
| Alan Grayson (D) | $178,051 | $178,581 | $126,388 |
| Tamika Lyles (D) | $23,287 | $3,139 | $20,147 |
| Hector Mujica (D) | $717,348 | $637,278 | $80,070 |
| Angie Nixon (D) | $293,583 | $20,957 | $177,595 |
| Alex Vindman (D) | $8,188,391 | $1,748,269 | $6,440,222 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[26] | |||
Independents
Declared
- Neil J. Gillespie[7]
Declined
- John Morgan, lawyer and founder of Morgan & Morgan[42]
Third parties
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[45] | Solid R | January 12, 2026 |
| The Cook Political Report[46] | Solid R | January 12, 2026 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[47] | Likely R | January 29, 2026 |
| Race To The WH[48] | Lean R | February 2, 2026 |
Polling
Ashley Moody vs. Angie Nixon
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
Ashley Moody (R) |
Angie Nixon (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stetson University[49] | March 15 – April 13, 2026 | 848 (LV) | ± 4.1% | 51% | 38% | – | 11% |
| Emerson College[50] | March 29–31, 2026 | 1,125 (LV) | ± 2.8% | 47% | 36% | – | 16% |
| University of North Florida[51] | February 21 – March 2, 2026 | 786 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 46% | 38% | 2% | 15% |
Ashley Moody vs. Alexander Vindman
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
Ashley Moody (R) |
Alexander Vindman (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change Research (D)[52] | May 13–16, 2026 | 1,593 (LV) | ± 2.3% | 45% | 47% | – | 8% |
| Cherry Communications (R)[53][A] | May 1–9, 2026 | 604 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 48% | 40% | – | 12% |
| Stetson University[49] | March 15 – April 13, 2026 | 848 (LV) | ± 4.1% | 49% | 42% | – | 9% |
| Echelon Insights (R)[54][B] | April 3–9, 2026 | 406 (LV) | ± 6.0% | 50% | 43% | – | 7% |
| MDW (D)[55][C] | March 27 – April 3, 2026 | 1,834 (LV) | ± 2.0% | 43% | 42% | – | 14% |
| Public Policy Polling (D)[57][D] | April 2–3, 2026 | 574 (RV) | ± 4.1% | 43% | 40% | – | 17% |
| Emerson College[50] | March 29–31, 2026 | 1,125 (LV) | ± 2.8% | 46% | 38% | – | 16% |
| University of North Florida[51] | February 21 – March 2, 2026 | 786 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 45% | 38% | 2% | 15% |
Hypothetical polling
Ashley Moody vs. Jennifer Jenkins
Ashley Moody vs. Hector Mujica
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
Ashley Moody (R) |
Hector Mujica (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson College[50] | March 29–31, 2026 | 1,125 (LV) | ± 2.8% | 45% | 38% | – | 17% |
Notes
- 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 chose Ashley Moody to replace him.
- Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - With voters who lean towards a given candidate
- "Someone else", "Wouldn't vote", and "Refusal" with 1%
Partisan clients