2026 United States Senate special election in Florida

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]

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]

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

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–present)^[3]
Laurel Lee, U.S. representative from Florida's 13th 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) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2016^[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

Jake Lang, podcaster and participant in the January 6 U.S. Capitol attack^[7]
Ashley Moody, incumbent U.S. senator (2025–present)^[8]

Publicly expressed interest

Kat Cammack, U.S. representative from Florida's 3rd congressional district (2021–present)^[9]
Matt Gaetz, former U.S. representative from Florida's 1st congressional district (2017–2024)^[10]
Cory Mills, U.S. representative from Florida's 7th congressional district (2023–present)^[11]^[12]

Endorsements

Ashley Moody

U.S. senators

Rick Scott, U.S. senator from Florida (2019–present)^[13]

U.S. representatives

Vern Buchanan, U.S. representative from Florida's 16th congressional district (2013–present)^[14]
Laurel Lee, U.S. representative from Florida's 15th congressional district (2023–present)^[15]

Multi-county officials

15 state attorneys^[16]

County officials

Ric Bradshaw, Palm Beach County sheriff (Democrat)^[8]
Mike Chitwood, Volusia County sheriff (Independent)^[8]
Chad Chronister, Hillsborough County sheriff^[8]
Rosie Cordero-Stutz, Miami-Dade County sheriff^[8]
Bob Gualtieri, Pinellas County sheriff^[8]
Grady Judd, Polk County sheriff^[8]
Dennis Lemma, Seminole County sheriff^[8]
John Mina, Orange County sheriff (Democrat)^[8]
T. K. Waters, Duval County sheriff^[8]
Morris A. Young, Gadsden County sheriff (Democrat)^[8]
54 other county sheriffs^[8]

Organizations

Maggie's List^[17]

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2025
Candidate	Raised	Spent	Cash on hand
Jake Lang (R)	$28,404	$26,938	$1,467
Ashley Moody (R)	$417,680	$7,801	$409,879
Source: Federal Election Commission^[18]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Tamika Lyles, founding chair of the Osceola County Democratic Black Caucus^[19]
Alex Gould, small business owner^[20]^[21]

Declined

Jared Moskowitz, U.S. representative from Florida's 23rd congressional district (2023–present)^[22] (running for re-election)^[23]

Independents

Candidates

Declined

John Morgan, lawyer and founder of Morgan & Morgan^[24]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
Inside Elections^[25]	Solid R	Feb 20, 2025
The Cook Political Report^[26]	Solid R	Feb 13, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball^[27]	Safe R	Mar 12, 2025
Race To The WH^[28]	Lean R	Apr 27, 2025

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 has chosen Ashley Moody to replace him.

References

^ Beggin, Riley. "Trump taps Marco Rubio for Secretary of State". USA TODAY. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
^ "Chapter 100 Section 161 - 2024 Florida Statutes". m.flsenate.gov. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e 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.
^ ^a ^b Ogles, Jacob (November 12, 2024). "Laurel Lee part of conversation for Marco Rubio's Senate seat". Florida Politics. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
^ 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.
^ "Lara Trump removes herself from consideration for Florida Senate, ending speculation". The Associated Press. December 22, 2024. Retrieved December 22, 2024 – via WPDE-TV.
^ 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.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l Wilson, Drew (March 20, 2025). "Ashley Moody's Senate campaign touts clean sweep of GOP Sheriffs". Florida Politics. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
^ Heddles, Claire (January 13, 2025). "Two of Florida's Congressional Republicans Are Publicly Angling for a Senate Seat". Florida Politics. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
^ Jones, Kipp (December 22, 2024). "Matt Gaetz Floats Senate Run While Calling Out GOP Lawmakers Who Opposed Him for AG". Mediaite. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
^ Ogles, Jacob (January 11, 2025). "Cory Mills plans to run for U.S. Senate in 2026 anyway — even if he isn't appointed". Florida Politics. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
^ 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.
^ Gancarski, A.G. (March 28, 2025). "Rick Scott endorses Ashley Moody in 2026 Senate race". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
^ Leonard, Kimberly; Domínguez, Isa (April 22, 2025). "Donalds faces the anti-DOGE music". Politico. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
^ Ogles, Jacob (April 4, 2025). "'An exceptional leader': Laurel Lee wants Ashley Moody to remain in the Senate". Florida Politics. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
^ 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.
^ "Maggie's List Announces First Round of 2026 Senate Endorsements". maggieslist.org. Maggie's List. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
^ "2026 Election United States Senate - Florida". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
^ "Meet Tamika". Lyles for U.S. Senate. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
^ kmh182 (August 30, 2021). "Spartan Showcase: Alex Gould". The Daily. Retrieved April 25, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ "Candidate Tracking system - Florida Division of Elections - Department of State". dos.elections.myflorida.com. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
^ Solender, Andrew (November 27, 2024). "Scoop: A huge wave of House members is eyeing runs for other offices in 2026". Axios. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
^ Adragna, Anthony (December 17, 2024). "Moskowitz brushes aside FEMA reports". Politico. Retrieved December 17, 2024. 'I am staying in Congress and running for re-election,' Moskowitz (D-Fla.) said
^ 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.
^ "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
^ "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
^ "2026 Senate ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
^ "2026 Senate Forecast". Race to the WH. Retrieved March 19, 2025.

External links

Official campaign websites

Ashley Moody (R) for Senate

[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.

[2] Beggin, Riley. "Trump taps Marco Rubio for Secretary of State". USA TODAY. Retrieved November 13, 2024.

[3] "Chapter 100 Section 161 - 2024 Florida Statutes". m.flsenate.gov. Retrieved November 13, 2024.

[moody-4] 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.

[Lee-5] Ogles, Jacob (November 12, 2024). "Laurel Lee part of conversation for Marco Rubio's Senate seat". Florida Politics. Retrieved April 4, 2025.

[6] 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.

[7] "Lara Trump removes herself from consideration for Florida Senate, ending speculation". The Associated Press. December 22, 2024. Retrieved December 22, 2024 – via WPDE-TV.

[8] 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.

[flpol-9] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l Wilson, Drew (March 20, 2025). "Ashley Moody's Senate campaign touts clean sweep of GOP Sheriffs". Florida Politics. Retrieved April 3, 2025.

[10] Heddles, Claire (January 13, 2025). "Two of Florida's Congressional Republicans Are Publicly Angling for a Senate Seat". Florida Politics. Retrieved January 13, 2025.

[11] Jones, Kipp (December 22, 2024). "Matt Gaetz Floats Senate Run While Calling Out GOP Lawmakers Who Opposed Him for AG". Mediaite. Retrieved December 22, 2024.

[12] Ogles, Jacob (January 11, 2025). "Cory Mills plans to run for U.S. Senate in 2026 anyway — even if he isn't appointed". Florida Politics. Retrieved January 11, 2025.

[13] 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.

[14] Gancarski, A.G. (March 28, 2025). "Rick Scott endorses Ashley Moody in 2026 Senate race". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 28, 2025.

[15] Leonard, Kimberly; Domínguez, Isa (April 22, 2025). "Donalds faces the anti-DOGE music". Politico. Retrieved April 22, 2025.

[16] Ogles, Jacob (April 4, 2025). "'An exceptional leader': Laurel Lee wants Ashley Moody to remain in the Senate". Florida Politics. Retrieved April 4, 2025.

[fpjo-17] 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.

[18] "Maggie's List Announces First Round of 2026 Senate Endorsements". maggieslist.org. Maggie's List. Retrieved March 27, 2025.

[FEC1-19] "2026 Election United States Senate - Florida". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved April 23, 2025.

[20] "Meet Tamika". Lyles for U.S. Senate. Retrieved April 25, 2025.

[21] 182 (August 30, 2021). "Spartan Showcase: Alex Gould". The Daily. Retrieved April 25, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[22] "Candidate Tracking system - Florida Division of Elections - Department of State". dos.elections.myflorida.com. Retrieved April 25, 2025.

[23] Solender, Andrew (November 27, 2024). "Scoop: A huge wave of House members is eyeing runs for other offices in 2026". Axios. Retrieved November 27, 2024.

[24] Adragna, Anthony (December 17, 2024). "Moskowitz brushes aside FEMA reports". Politico. Retrieved December 17, 2024. 'I am staying in Congress and running for re-election,' Moskowitz (D-Fla.) said

[25] 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.

[26] "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2025.

[27] "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 11, 2025.

[28] "2026 Senate ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved February 13, 2025.

[29] "2026 Senate Forecast". Race to the WH. Retrieved March 19, 2025.

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