florida senate race: trending now
04-11-2026
Florida Senate Race: Trending Now, Candidates, and Latest Updates
The Florida Senate race is trending as the special election moves through critical vote counting following Marco Rubio’s transition to U.S. Secretary of State. Republican incumbent Ashley Moodyappointed to fill the seat by Governor Ron DeSantisis facing Democratic challenger Angie Nixon and non-party affiliated candidates in a high-stakes battle for control of the upper chamber.
Key Candidates in the 2026 Florida Senate Election
Ashley Moody (Republican): Appointed as interim U.S. Senator in January 2025 following Marco Rubio’s confirmation, former Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is campaigning to retain the seat for the remainder of the term. Her platform focuses on law enforcement support, border security, deregulation, and Florida’s sustained economic growth.
Angie Nixon (Democrat): Florida State Representative Angie Nixon is running as the Democratic nominee. Her campaign highlights rising property insurance costs, healthcare affordability, reproductive rights, and public education funding across the Sunshine State.
Neil Gillespie (No Party Affiliation): An independent alternative running on administrative reform and anti-establishment accountability.
Polling Averages and Voter Turnout Trends
Leading into the election, polling aggregates and forecast models indicated a steady advantage for the Republican incumbent:
Polling Margins: Moody maintained a lead of approximately 6 to 7 points across multiple public surveys, reflecting Florida’s recent rightward shift in statewide contests.
Turnout Dynamics: High early in-person and mail-in ballot turnout across major metropolitan hubssuch as Miami-Dade, Orange, and Duval countiesremains central to determining the final margin.
Why This Race Matters
This special election decides who will complete the Senate term expiring in January 2029. With narrow party margins in the U.S. Senate, national political committees have poured significant resources into Florida digital advertising, debate coverage, and grassroots voter mobilization.