Florida Senate: Ashley Moody Claims Rubio's Seat
The former attorney general defeated Angie Nixon in a special election that saw the Democrat run a grassroots campaign against a heavily funded Republican opponent.
By Tunde Bailey ·
Floridians will return a Republican to the U.S. Senate on November 4, 2026. Ashley Moody defeated Democrat Angie Nixon in the special election to fill the vacancy left by Marco Rubio. Moody, who previously served as the state attorney general, will hold the position for the remaining two years of the term Rubio secured in 2022. The seat will be contested again in 2028 for a full six-year term.
The race featured a stark contrast in campaign strategies. Moody utilized a substantial fundraising advantage to purchase television and digital advertisements across the state, which has a population of 23 million. In Florida, high ad costs are often viewed as a prerequisite for winning statewide offices. Nixon, who emerged from the Democratic primary as a surprise candidate, focused on in-person events. She traveled extensively to connect with voters and appeared frequently on local media and center-left podcasts.
Moody faced criticism for her limited public appearances compared to her opponent. Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, addressed the disparity during an October news conference in Tallahassee. Fried urged the Republican to engage more directly with the public. "Ashley Moody should take a page out of Angie Nixon's book," Fried said. "Stop hiding behind attacks. Show up and talk to the people you work for, because Ashley Moody is asking Floridians for their vote, and if she won't answer their questions, they'll give her their answer in November." A sign at the event asked, "Where is Ashley Moody?"
Moody's campaign centered on the political identity of her opponent. Nixon, who aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America, was portrayed as too liberal for a state that now has 1.5 million more registered Republicans than Democrats. This shift represents a major change from the decades-long Democratic advantage in the state's registration numbers. Moody's advertisements highlighted specific DSA policy positions, such as abolishing the police, a stance Nixon publicly rejected.
The special election also brought attention to Moody's past role in the Hope Florida scandal. As attorney general, she approved a Medicaid settlement that directed $10 million to a charity tied to First Lady Casey DeSantis. Those funds were later used by a political committee to oppose a 2024 ballot measure regarding recreational marijuana. A state prosecutor's grand jury reviewed the matter, but no charges were filed. Moody has denied any wrongdoing in the process.
Moody was appointed to the Senate seat by Governor Ron DeSantis after Rubio was selected for the presidential cabinet. The Democrat's primary victory had initially generated national interest from progressives, who viewed her as a potential foothold in a state where their party has not won a Senate race since 2012. The general election result confirms the continued Republican hold on the chamber in Florida.
