This Tuesday, November 3, voters in Florida will determine who will fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by Marco Rubio when he became Secretary of State. Republican Ashley Moody, appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis, has served as a senator since January 2025 and aims to retain her position against Democrat Angie Nixon, a state legislator from Jacksonville.
This is a special election where the victor will serve until January 2029, completing the six-year term Rubio was elected to in 2022. Also on the ballot is Neil J. Gillespie, an independent candidate, according to Florida's Division of Elections.
Rubio vacated the Senate in January 2025 after being confirmed as Secretary of State under President Donald Trump. DeSantis appointed Moody, who was a two-term Attorney General of Florida at the time. This election allows voters to directly choose who will occupy the seat for the remaining two years.
Moody Highlights Her Tenure; Nixon Focuses on Rising Living Costs
Moody, 51, from Plant City, has campaigned as an ally of President Trump, emphasizing border security, support for law enforcement, tax cuts, and reduction of federal regulations. "We've accomplished a lot for Floridians and must keep the state strong," she told Local 10 during her campaign.
Nixon, 42, representing Jacksonville in the Florida House since 2020, has centered her campaign on family expenses, healthcare, housing insurance, and accessibility issues. She advocates for stronger protections for programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, as highlighted in a News4JAX comparison of the candidates' proposals.
Diverging Views on Immigration and Security
Immigration has been a significant point of contention. Moody supports Trump's border control and immigration law enforcement policies, while Nixon has criticized deportations and engaged with communities worried about losing Temporary Protected Status (TPS), according to Local 10. These stances have important implications for many immigrant families in Florida.
On energy costs and data center expansion, the candidates differ as well. Nixon proposes halting new projects until federal standards are set, whereas Moody backs community involvement in decision-making and has proposed measures to prevent consumers from bearing the costs of large data centers. WUSF and Inside Climate News have analyzed these differences ahead of the election.
Latest Polling Trends in Florida
Final polls have shown Moody with an edge, though the margin varies. A Stetson University survey conducted from October 26 to 30 placed the Republican at 49% compared to Nixon's 45% among likely voters.
Another poll by RedBox Research, from interviews on October 30 and 31 and released on November 2, estimated 47% support for Moody and 45% for Nixon, a gap within the margin of error. This study was funded by the super PAC A Fight Worth Having, with RedBox as their polling unit. These surveys reflect likely preferences, not actual counted votes.
Polling stations will close at 7:00 p.m. local time in each Florida county. Since the state spans two time zones, Florida Election Watch plans to release initial statewide results starting at 8:00 p.m. Miami time. CiberCuba's election special provides coverage of this race and other congressional elections.
Florida Special Senate Election: Key Questions Answered
What is the significance of this special election in Florida?
This special election determines who will complete the term left vacant by Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate, a position with significant influence over national policies until 2029.
How do Ashley Moody and Angie Nixon differ in their political priorities?
Moody focuses on border security, law enforcement support, and tax reductions, aligning with Trump's policies. Nixon prioritizes lowering living costs and enhancing healthcare and housing access.
What are the main issues for voters in this election?
Key issues include immigration policies, economic challenges, particularly the cost of living, healthcare, and the impact of data center expansions on electricity costs.
When will the results of the election be available?
Preliminary results are expected to be released by Florida Election Watch starting at 8:00 p.m. Miami time, after the polls close at 7:00 p.m. local time across the state.