Moody wins Florida Senate seat as Trump-endorsed Donalds and Jolly battle for governor

Republican Ashley Moody won the U.S. Senate seat in Florida on Tuesday, defeating Democrat Angie Nixon. The victory follows Moody's appointment to the seat by Governor Ron DeSantis after Marco Rubio moved to the State Department. Moody told a crowd of approximately 100 supporters in downtown Tampa that the electorate had chosen freedom over socialism.

Moody has faced scrutiny regarding the Hope Florida scandal. A grand jury found that she was aware of $10 million diverted from a Medicaid settlement, a claim she denies. She stated her intention to advance America First policies and support President Donald Trump's agenda during her term in the Senate.

The governor's race remains contested between Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly. Donalds, who holds the endorsement of President Trump, would become Florida's first Black governor if he wins. He would also be the nation's first Black Republican to hold the office. During his tenure in the state House, he prioritized parental rights in education and school choice. As a congressman, he now advocates for Second Amendment rights and stricter immigration policies.

Jolly, a former Republican and Independent, campaigns on affordability, a central theme for Democrats amid inflation and housing concerns. He opposes data centers, mirroring the stance of outgoing Governor DeSantis. If elected, Jolly would be the first Democrat to lead Florida since the 1990s. His background as a former Republican may appeal to moderate voters.

James Uthmeier, the Republican incumbent, holds the Attorney General's office. He replaced Moody in 2025 and served previously as DeSantis' chief of staff. His focus has included prosecuting child predators and enforcing immigration rules. Uthmeier faces criticism over his role in the Hope Florida controversy, where a grand jury report alleged he helped funnel millions from a Medicaid settlement to political committees opposing a 2024 marijuana ballot measure.

His opponent, Jose Javier Rodriguez, criticizes Uthmeier for his involvement in the Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center in the Everglades. Rodriguez, who served as assistant secretary of labor in the Biden administration, promises to release files on Jeffrey Epstein and reduce costs for residents. He narrowly lost a state Senate race to Ileana Garcia by 32 votes after an independent candidate with the same surname drew votes from his column.

The race for chief financial officer pits incumbent Blaise Ingoglia against Democrat Annette Taddeo. The office manages the state treasury, accounting, and payroll, and includes the role of fire marshal. Ingogla has promoted waste reduction through DOGE audits and plans to direct funds toward immigration enforcement. Taddeo aims to monitor insurance agencies for transparency and opposes data centers, citing rural voter concerns.

Wilton Simpson, the Trump-endorsed incumbent agricultural commissioner, faces Democrat Joey Atkins. Simpson focused his term on preventing property tax increases on farmland and supporting citrus growers. Atkins, a trial attorney, advocates for legal aid for farm workers. He pledges to lower food and gas prices and halt the sale of farmland to data center developers. He also plans to address Flock camera surveillance.

Polls closed at 7 p.m. local time in most of Florida, with a few Panhandle counties gaining an extra hour. These midterms serve as a test of voter sentiment toward the Trump administration's two-year agenda. President Trump entered the election with a 32% approval rating, according to an Ipsos poll released Monday. The results will provide an early indicator of Democratic performance in the 2028 cycle.