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. Primary elections will be held on August 18, 2026.
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. Governor Ron DeSantis chose Florida attorney general Ashley Moody to replace Rubio in the Senate. 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
- Ashley Moody, Florida attorney general (2019–2025)
Considered but not appointed
- Kat Cammack, U.S. representative from Florida's 3rd congressional district (2021–present)
- Jay Collins, state senator from the 14th district (2022–2025)
- Laurel Lee, U.S. representative from Florida's 15th congressional district (2023–present)
- Cory Mills, U.S. representative from Florida's 7th congressional district (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 Florida's 6th congressional district (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
Declared
- Jake Lang, podcaster and participant in the January 6 U.S. Capitol attack
- Ashley Moody, incumbent U.S. senator (2025–present)
Filed paperwork
- Josue Larose, lobbyist and perennial candidate
- Alix Toulme, religion founder and perennial candidate
Declined
- Matt Gaetz, former U.S. representative from Florida's 1st congressional district (2017–2024)
Endorsements
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)
- U.S. senators
- Rick Scott, Florida (2019–present)
- U.S. representatives
- Aaron Bean, FL-04 (2023–present)
- Gus Bilirakis, FL-12 (2007–present)
- Vern Buchanan, FL-16 (2013–present)
- Kat Cammack, FL-03 (2021–present)
- Mario Díaz-Balart, FL-26 (2003–present)
- Neal Dunn, FL-02 (2017–present)
- Scott Franklin, FL-18 (2021–present)
- Mike Haridopolos, FL-08 (2025–present)
- Laurel Lee, FL-15 (2023–present)
- Brian Mast, FL-21 (2017–present)
- Jimmy Patronis, FL-01 (2025–present)
- Multi-county officials
- 15 state attorneys
- County officials
- Ric Bradshaw, Palm Beach County sheriff (2005–present) (Democrat)
- Mike Chitwood, Volusia County sheriff (2017–present) (Independent)
- Chad Chronister, Hillsborough County sheriff (2017–present)
- Rosie Cordero-Stutz, Miami-Dade County sheriff (2025–present)
- Bob Gualtieri, Pinellas County sheriff (2011–present)
- Grady Judd, Polk County sheriff (2005–present)
- Dennis Lemma, Seminole County sheriff (2017–present)
- John Mina, Orange County sheriff (2018–present) (Democrat)
- T. K. Waters, Duval County sheriff (2022–present)
- Morris A. Young, Gadsden County sheriff (2004–present) (Democrat)
- 54 other county sheriffs
- Labor unions
- National Association of Realtors
- Florida Association of Realtors
- Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida
- Florida Fraternal Order of Police
- Organizations
- Maggie's List
- Senate Conservatives Fund
- Political parties
- Republican Party of Florida
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Jake Lang (R) | $28,768 | $26,940 | $1,828 |
| Ashley Moody (R) | $4,039,947 | $399,708 | $3,640,238 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission | |||
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Joey Atkins, attorney and nominee for Florida's 26th congressional district in 2024
- Jennifer Jenkins, former Brevard County school board member
- Hector Mujica, tech executive
Filed paperwork
- Paul Cruz
- Frank Dimola
- Kael Dougherty
- Alex Gould, business owner
- Alan Grayson, former U.S. representative from Florida's 9th congressional district (2009–2011, 2013–2017) and perennial candidate
- Tamika Lyles, chair of the Osceola County Democratic Black Caucus
- Evelyn McBride, life coach
- Dennis Stevens
Publicly expressed interest
- Jared Moskowitz, U.S. representative from Florida's 23rd congressional district (2023–present) (currently running for re-election)
- Angie Nixon, state representative from the 13th district (2020–present)
Withdrawn
- Josh Weil, teacher, nominee for Florida's 6th congressional district 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 (running for governor)
Endorsements
- U.S. representatives
- Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, former FL-26 (2019–2021) and nominee for U.S. senate in 2024
- State legislators
- Tina Polsky, state senator from the 29th district (2020–present)
Fundraising
Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.
| Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Alan Grayson (D) | $96,868 | $96,621 | $127,164 |
| Josh Weil (D) | $15,933,478 | $15,933,478 | $0 |
| Jennifer Jenkins (D) | $172,029 | $6,302 | $165,727 |
| Tamika Lyles (D) | $16,206 | $2,947 | $13,259 |
| Joey Atkins (D) | $5,008 | $2,630 | $2,379 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission | |||
Independents
Declined
- John Morgan, lawyer and founder of Morgan & Morgan
Third parties
American Party
Filed paperwork
- Jason Standridge
Veterans Party
Filed paperwork
- Justin Green
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections | Solid R | August 12, 2025 |
| The Cook Political Report | Solid R | October 14, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Safe R | August 12, 2025 |
| Race To The WH | Lean R | September 4, 2025 |
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Ashley Moody (R) | Jennifer Jenkins (D) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Florida | October 15–25, 2025 | 728 (LV) | ± 4.3% | 49% | 38% | 3% | 10% |
| 47% | 37% | 3% | 13% | ||||
| The Tyson Group (R) | October 1–3, 2025 | 800 (LV) | – | 44% | 37% | – | 19% |
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