Republican Sen. Ashley Moody defeated Democrat Angie Nixon in Florida’s special Senate election on November 3, 2026, according to projections from CBS News. Moody, who was appointed to the seat last year following Marco Rubio’s departure to join President Trump’s Cabinet, secured the victory to serve the remainder of the term running through early 2029.
The race pitted Moody against Nixon, a state lawmaker from Jacksonville and a democratic socialist whose surprise primary victory elevated her profile nationally. While Democrats viewed the contest as an opportunity to break a long losing streak in statewide federal races in Florida, Moody’s campaign capitalized on the state’s shifting voter registration advantage and focused heavily on ideological attacks.
Campaign Dynamics and Funding Advantage
Moody maintained a significant financial advantage throughout the race, allowing her campaign to flood the airwaves across Florida’s media markets. According to reporting by NBC News, Moody relied on a traditional campaign strategy while facing criticism from opponents for declining debates and holding fewer public campaign events than Nixon.
Nixon blanketed the state with in-person appearances and maintained an active presence on local media and digital podcasts. However, her alignment with the Democratic Socialists of America became a focal point for Republican messaging, which linked her platform to progressive policies that alienated parts of the electorate, particularly immigrant communities with ties to socialist governance.
Scrutiny and Broader Statewide Results
During the campaign, Moody also faced scrutiny regarding her past tenure as Florida’s attorney general, specifically her involvement in signing off on a 2024 Medicaid settlement transfer tied to a charity associated with Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis. Although a state prosecutor impaneled a grand jury to review the matter, Moody denied any wrongdoing and no charges were filed.
The Senate race concluded on the same night Republicans swept major statewide offices in Florida, with former Representative Byron Donalds winning the gubernatorial race and incumbent cabinet members securing reelection, as detailed by WKMG-TV.
Next Steps and Institutional Impact
With her projected victory finalized, Moody will serve the final two years of the Senate term originally won in 2022. The seat will return to the ballot for a full six-year term during the 2028 election cycle. Her return to Washington maintains the incumbent Republican hold on the seat amid shifting political demographics in a state where registered Republicans now outnumber Democrats by approximately 1.5 million voters.