Incumbent Ashley B. Moody (R), Angela Nixon (D), and Neil Gillespie (No Party Affiliation) are running in the special election for U.S. Senate in Florida on November 3, 2026.

The winner will serve the remainder of the term Marco Rubio (R) was elected to in 2022, which expires in January 2029. Rubio resigned on January 20, 2025, after the U.S. Senate confirmed him as U.S. Secretary of State under President Donald Trump (R). Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) appointed Moody as Rubio's interim successor on January 21, 2025.

Rubio was re-elected 57.7%–41.3% in 2022. In 2024, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R) was re-elected 55.6%–42.8% and Trump defeated Kamala Harris (D) 56.1%–43.0% in Florida. The last Democrat to win a statewide election in Florida was Nikki Fried (D), who won the 2018 election for agriculture commissioner 50.0%–50.0%. The last Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from Florida was Bill Nelson (D) in 2012. As of August 2026, major election forecasters rated the general election Solid Republican or Likely Republican.

Before her appointment to the Senate, Moody served as Florida Attorney General from 2019 to 2025 and as an elected judge on Florida's 13th Judicial Circuit Court from 2007 to 2017. She earlier worked as a law professor and federal prosecutor. Moody's campaign website says, "Throughout her tenure as Attorney General, Ashley earned a reputation as a fierce leader in the fight against unelected bureaucrats in Washington who sought to undermine Florida’s policies. She has also been a national leader in protecting religious freedom and the sanctity of life. ... As U.S. Senator, Ashley continues her mission to uphold conservative values, strengthen national security, and fight for Floridians."

Nixon was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2022. She earlier worked as an organizer, activist, and bookstore owner. Nixon's campaign website says, "Angie believes that the government should work for working people — not corporations, not billionaires, and not the political establishment in either party that keeps letting them win. Ask any Florida family what’s on their mind — whether they’re a Democrat, Republican, or don’t care much for either party — and you’ll hear the same thing: everything costs too much, and their paycheck can’t keep up."

As of July 29, 2026, Moody had raised $11.3 million and Nixon had raised $975,000.

As of August 27, 2026, 13 special elections have been called for the 119th Congress. From the 113th Congress to the 118th Congress, 80 special elections were held.

The outcome of this race will affect the partisan balance of the U.S. Senate in the 120th Congress. Thirty-three of the 100 U.S. Senate seats are up for election, and another two seats are up for special election. Democrats hold 13 of the seats up for election, and Republicans hold 22.

Currently, Republicans have a 53-45 majority in the chamber.