One of Florida’s U.S. Senate seats is on the ballot this year, in an election that doesn’t follow the typical Senate election cycle.
In January 2025, after President Donald Trump began his second term, Senator Marco Rubio was named Secretary of State, vacating his Senate seat. Gov. Ron DeSantis then appointed the state’s attorney general, Ashley Moody, to Rubio’s seat. The appointment would last until after the next general election, which is the November 2026 election. The winner of this year’s election will serve the remaining two years of Rubio’s original term.
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In the August primaries, Moody defeated three other Republicans to win their party’s nomination, and Angie Nixon defeated Alex Vindman for the Democratic nomination.
News4JAX sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote in their own words.
Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically by party and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4JAX staff.
| DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE |
Angie Nixon
Occupation: State Representative District 13, Florida House of Representatives
Age: 42
Family: I am a mom of 5 and now have a blended family with my husband.
Education: University of Florida 2007: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science
Political experience: 2020: Elected to the Florida House of Representatives
2022: Re elected to the Florida House of Representatives
2024: Re elected to the Florida House of Representatives
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Floridians are being crushed by an affordability crisis created by greed and corruption. My focus is on the needs of Floridians, and to create a system that works for the people not against them. No one in the richest country in the world should go bankrupt because they need medical care. Florida’s Families shouldn’t fear losing their home because their insurance doubled overnight.
People deserve a healthcare system that works for them and protects their hard earned benefits such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA. Additionally, I will fight to make childcare affordable and accessible because that is an investment in our next generation and has incredibly strong economic returns for parents and local economies.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I was born and raised in Florida, and have spent my life here fighting for the people. As a state lawmaker, I was able to deliver meaningful change on various issues, that impact all of our lives. I understand that my role, first and foremost is to listen then act on behalf of the people of Florida. Too many of our elected officials do not answer to those who give them power, I understand that I answer to you, the people of the Sunshine State.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I hope to be remembered as a fighter who delivered on people’s needs. I want to show that elected officials can be trusted to things that make people’s lives better. I want to leave folks with hope that we can always change things for the better.
Campaign website: angienixon.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | X | Instagram | TikTok | BlueSky
| REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE |
Ashley Moody
Occupation: United States Senator for the people of Florida
Age: (No response)
Family: Husband and two boys
Education: -Bachelors in Accounting, University of Florida
-Masters in Accounting, University of Florida
-Law Degree, University of Florida
-Master of Laws in International Law, Stetson University College of Law
Political experience: “-Circuit Court Judge (nonpartisan election)
-38th Attorney General of Florida
-Commissioner on the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice, under President Trump’s first term
-Chair of Florida’s Statewide Council on Human Trafficking
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
The top three issues are the economy, public safety, and restoring trust and accountability to Washington. On the economy, I am proud to have delivered the largest tax cuts in American history: No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, and No Tax on Social Security. I am fighting to expand homeownership through the HELPER Act, which provides mortgage assistance for law enforcement officers, firefighters, first responders, and teachers so the heroes who serve our communities can afford to live in them. I am also working to protect small businesses from burdensome regulations. On public safety, I am bringing my experience as a federal prosecutor, judge, and Florida’s Attorney General to Washington. One of my first acts in the Senate was fighting to pass the HALT Fentanyl Act, and I continue working to secure our border and back the men and women in law enforcement who keep us safe. And on restoring trust and accountability, Florida families balance their budgets every month, Washington should too. I am working to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse so every taxpayer dollar is spent wisely, because government should work FOR the people, not the other way around. That is exactly the Florida playbook I am bringing to Washington.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I bring a record of fighting for Florida families. As a federal prosecutor, a circuit court judge, and Florida’s Attorney General, I’ve spent my career solving problems and delivering results. That experience is already paying off in the Senate: from delivering the largest tax cuts in American history, to securing over $1.7 billion in disaster recovery funding, nearly $1 billion for our military servicemembers and installations, to legislation protecting Florida families. I also bring something else most candidates cannot: a deep, lived knowledge of our beautiful Florida, as a fifth generation Floridian. I was born here, raised here, and I chose to raise my own family here. As the proud wife of a law enforcement officer, I understand firsthand the sacrifices made by the men and women who keep our communities safe. Voters do not have to guess how I will perform in Washington because they can look at what I have already delivered.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I hope to be remembered as a Senator who delivered for Florida families, not one who simply talked about it. I’m honored to have been named one of the most productive Senators and given an award for the best constituent services in the nation. When I make a promise, I intend to keep it. I made a promise to Governor DeSantis and the people of Florida when I took office that I would get things done, and I am doing just that. I want Florida families to look back and know that because of the work I did, they kept more of what they earned, their communities were safer, their kids had an opportunity to live their American Dream, and Washington was a little more accountable to the people it serves. I also hope to be remembered for bringing Florida’s commonsense approach to the rest of the country – proving that conservative leadership focused on results is exactly what restores the American Dream. Most of all, I want the next generation to inherit the same opportunities that made Florida the envy of the nation.
Campaign website: ashleymoody.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | X | Instagram
| NO PARTY AFFILIATION CANDIDATE |
Neil Gillespie
Campaign website: neilgillespie4senate.blogspot.com
Campaign social media: None found
The no party affiliation candidate has not responded to email and telephone invitations to complete the News4JAX candidate questionnaire. If responses are received, they will be promptly posted in this space.