2026 United States Senate special election in Florida

The 2026 United States Senate special election in Florida will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Florida. Republican appointee Ashley Moody and Democratic state representative Angie Nixon are the nominees for their respective parties. The winner will complete the term won in 2022 by Marco Rubio, who resigned in 2025 to become secretary of state.

After being appointed to the seat, Moody won the Republican nomination against minimal opposition. Alex Vindman, the former director of European Affairs for the National Security Council, was considered the Democratic frontrunner and held a significant fundraising advantage during the primary, but Nixon won the nomination with 56.1% of the vote in a major upset.

Democrats have not won a Senate race in Florida since 2012.

Background Marco Rubio, a U.S. senator from Florida since 2010, was announced as president-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of State in November 2024. He was confirmed by the Senate on January 20, 2025 in a 99-0 vote. Ashley Moody, the attorney general of Florida, was named by state governor Ron DeSantis to fill Rubio's vacant Senate seat, and was sworn in the day after Rubio's confirmation. Rubio's resignation triggered a special election for 2026, the next statewide election cycle in Florida. The victor of the special election will serve for the remainder of Rubio's term, until a regular election for a full term in 2028 is held. Interim appointment Appointee Ashley Moody, Florida attorney general (2019–2025)

Considered but not appointed Kat Cammack, U.S. representative from (2021–present) Jay Collins, state senator from the 14th district (2022–2025) Laurel Lee, U.S. representative from (2023–present) Cory Mills, U.S. representative from (2023–present) James Uthmeier, chief of staff to Governor Ron DeSantis (2021–2025)

Declined to be considered Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida (2019–present), former U.S. representative from (2013–2018), candidate for U.S. Senate in 2016, and candidate for president in 2024 Lara Trump, former co-chair of the Republican National Committee (2024–2025) and daughter-in-law of President Donald Trump

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Ashley Moody, incumbent U.S. senator (2025–present) Eliminated in primary Chris Gleason, technology consultant Neelam Taneja Perry, physician Ernest "Ernie" Rivera, businessman and candidate in 2016

Not on ballot Jake Lang, podcaster and participant in the January 6 U.S. Capitol attack Alix Toulme, religion founder and perennial candidate

Declined Matt Gaetz, former U.S. representative from (2017–2024)

Endorsements

Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of July 29, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handAshley Moody (R)$11,259,074$2,776,253$8,482,821Source: Federal Election Commission

Results

Democratic primary Campaign Angie Nixon, a progressive Democrat and a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, won the nomination over Alex Vindman, despite Vindman having amassed $16.3 million in campaign funding compared to Nixon's $975,000. Nixon campaigned on universal healthcare, free childcare, and a national rent freeze. Nixon had criticized Vindman for having only recently moved to Florida; Vindman ignored her and attacked the Republican candidate, Moody. The result was considered a major upset.

Candidates Nominee Angie Nixon, state representative from the 13th district (2020–present) Eliminated in primary 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

Did not qualify Joey Atkins, attorney and nominee for in 2024 (running for agriculture commissioner) Alex Gould, business owner Alan Grayson, former U.S. representative from Florida's 9th congressional district (2009–2011, 2013–2017) (ran for U.S. House)

Withdrawn Jennifer Jenkins, former Brevard County school board member (ran for U.S. House, endorsed Vindman) Tamika Lyles, former chair of the Osceola County Democratic Black Caucus (ran for U.S. House) Hector Mujica, tech executive (ran for U.S. House, endorsed Vindman) Josh Weil, teacher, nominee for in the 2025 special election, and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022

Declined Jerry Demings, mayor of Orange County (2018–present) and husband of former U.S. representative Val Demings (ran for governor) Jared Moskowitz, U.S. representative from Florida's 23rd congressional district (2023–present) (running for re-election)

Endorsements

Fundraising

Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.

Campaign finance reports as of July 29, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handAngie Nixon (D)$974,845$709,866$264,978Alex Vindman (D)$16,273,862$9,020,003$7,253,859Source: Federal Election Commission

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin AngieNixon AlexVindman Other UndecidedChange Research (D)July 9–11, 2026 (LV)24%34%2%41%

Results

Third-parties and independents Independents Declared Neil J. Gillespie

Declined John Morgan, lawyer and founder of Morgan & Morgan

American Party Did not qualify Jason Standridge, substance abuse counselor

Veterans Party Did not qualify Justin Green

General election Formerly a swing state, Florida has shifted increasingly to the Republican Party in recent elections. A Democratic candidate has not won a Senate seat in Florida since 2012. This will be the first U.S. Senate election in Florida where both major party candidates are women. Predictions SourceRankingAs ofThe Cook Political ReportSeptember 23, 2026Decision Desk HQOctober 2, 2026The EconomistOctober 7, 2026FiftyPlusOneOctober 3, 2026Fox NewsSeptember 22, 2026Inside ElectionsOctober 1, 2026RealClearPoliticsSeptember 24, 2026Sabato's Crystal BallSeptember 22, 2026Silver BulletinOctober 3, 2026Split TicketOctober 2, 2026

Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of July 29, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handAshley Moody (R)$11,259,074$2,776,253$8,482,821Angie Nixon (D)$974,845$709,866$264,978Source: Federal Election Commission

Post-primary endorsements

Polling Aggregate polls Source of pollaggregation Datesadministered Datesupdated AshleyMoody (R) AngieNixon (D)Other/Undecided Margin270toWinSeptember 8–27, 2026October 2, 202648.6%43.4%8.0%Moody +5.2%Decision Desk HQthrough October 5, 2026October 6, 202648.9%43.0%8.1%Moody +5.9%FiftyPlusOnethrough October 5, 2026October 6, 202648.8%43.3%7.9%Moody +5.5%RealClearPoliticsSeptember 8 – October 5, 2026October 6, 202649.0%42.3%8.4%Moody +6.7%Silver Bulletinthrough October 5, 2026October 6, 202648.9%42.6%8.5%Moody +6.3%Average48.8%42.9%8.2%Moody +5.9%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error AshleyMoody (R) AngieNixon (D) Other UndecidedYouGovSeptember 28 – October 5, 20263,813 (LV)± 2.7%49%44%1%5%Mason-DixonSeptember 28 – October 1, 2026625 (LV)± 4.0%50%40%2%8%Change Research (D)September 25–27, 20261,063 (LV)±2.8%48%47%1%5%Stetson UniversitySeptember 14–21, 2026830 (LV)±4.3%51%40%3%5%InsiderAdvantage (R)September 20–21, 2026600 (LV)±4%49%42%2%7%St. Pete PollsSeptember 15–17, 2026913 (LV)±3.2%45%45%3%7%Quantus Insights (R)September 8–10, 2026733 (LV)±4.1%50%43%3%4%Change Research (D)September 7–9, 20261,107 (LV)±2.8%47%47%1%5% August 18, 2026 Primary electionsUniversity of North FloridaJuly 8–17, 2026848 (LV)±3.8%50%42%2%6%Stetson UniversityMarch 15 – April 13, 2026848 (LV)±4.1%51%38%11%Emerson CollegeMarch 29–31, 20261,125 (LV)±2.8%47%36%16%University of North FloridaFebruary 21 – March 2, 2026786 (LV)±4.0%46%38%2%15%

Ashley Moody vs. Alexander Vindman Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error AshleyMoody (R) AlexanderVindman (D) Other UndecidedUniversity of North FloridaJuly 8–17, 2026848 (LV)±3.8%50%40%3%7%Change Research (D)July 9–11, 20261,348 (RV)±2.8%45%37%4%14%McLaughlin & Associates (R)June 3–7, 2026800 (LV)±3.5%47%40%13%Global Strategy Group (D)May 18–21, 20261,000 (LV)±3.1%46%43%12%Change Research (D)May 13–16, 20261,593 (LV)±2.3%45%47%1%7%2,070 (RV)46%41%3%10%Cherry Communications (R)May 1–9, 2026604 (LV)±4.0%48%40%12%Stetson UniversityMarch 15 – April 13, 2026848 (LV)±4.1%49%42%9%Echelon Insights (R)April 3–9, 2026406 (LV)±6.0%50%43%7%MDW (D)March 27 – April 3, 20261,834 (LV)±2.0%43%42%14%Public Policy Polling (D)April 2–3, 2026574 (RV)±4.1%43%40%17%Emerson CollegeMarch 29–31, 20261,125 (LV)±2.8%46%38%16%University of North FloridaFebruary 21 – March 2, 2026786 (LV)±4.0%45%38%2%15%

Ashley Moody vs. Jennifer Jenkins Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error AshleyMoody (R) JenniferJenkins (D) Other UndecidedUniversity of North FloridaOctober 15–25, 2025728 (LV)±4.3%49%38%3%10%47%37%3%13%The Tyson Group (R)October 1–3, 2025800 (LV)44%37%19%

Ashley Moody vs. Hector Mujica Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error AshleyMoody (R) HectorMujica (D) Other UndecidedEmerson CollegeMarch 29–31, 20261,125 (LV)±2.8%45%38%17%

Results

Notes

Partisan clients

References

External links Official campaign websites Ashley Moody (R) Angie Nixon (D)