One of Florida’s U.S. Senate seats is on the ballot this year, in an election that doesn’t follow the typical Senate election cycle.
In January 2025, after President Donald Trump began his second term, Senator Marco Rubio was named Secretary of State, vacating his Senate seat. Gov. Ron DeSantis then appointed the state’s attorney general, Ashley Moody, to Rubio’s seat. The appointment would last until after the next general election, which is the November 2026 election. The winner of this year’s election will serve the remaining two years of Rubio’s original term.
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In addition to Moody, three other Republicans will appear on that party’s primary ballot, and two Democrats are vying for their party’s nomination. The primary winners will be on the general election ballot in November, along with one candidate running without party affiliation.
News4JAX sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote in their own words.
Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically by party and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4JAX staff.
| DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES |
Angie Nixon
Occupation: State Representative District 13, Florida House of Representatives
Age: 42
Family: I am a mom of 5 and now have a blended family with my husband.
Education: University of Florida 2007: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science
Political experience: 2020: Elected to the Florida House of Representatives
2022: Re elected to the Florida House of Representatives
2024: Re elected to the Florida House of Representatives
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Floridians are being crushed by an affordability crisis created by greed and corruption. My focus is on the needs of Floridians, and to create a system that works for the people not against them. No one in the richest country in the world should go bankrupt because they need medical care. Florida’s Families shouldn’t fear losing their home because their insurance doubled overnight.
People deserve a healthcare system that works for them and protects their hard earned benefits such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA. Additionally, I will fight to make childcare affordable and accessible because that is an investment in our next generation and has incredibly strong economic returns for parents and local economies.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I was born and raised in Florida, and have spent my life here fighting for the people. As a state lawmaker, I was able to deliver meaningful change on various issues, that impact all of our lives. I understand that my role, first and foremost is to listen then act on behalf of the people of Florida. Too many of our elected officials do not answer to those who give them power, I understand that I answer to you, the people of the Sunshine State.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I hope to be remembered as a fighter who delivered on people’s needs. I want to show that elected officials can be trusted to things that make people’s lives better. I want to leave folks with hope that we can always change things for the better.
Campaign website: angienixon.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | X | Instagram | TikTok | BlueSky
Alex Vindman
Occupation: U.S. Senate Candidate, Former National Security Advisor and Veteran
Age: 51
Family: My wife Rachel and I have a 15 year-old daughter.
Education: Binghamton University (BA), Harvard University (MA), Johns Hopkins University (MAIA, Doctorate of International Affairs)
Political experience: This is my first political campaign after serving more than 21 years in the U.S. Army.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Lowering costs for Floridians is my top priority. As I travel the state to meet voters, everybody tells me that life is unaffordable in our state. We need to lower the cost of housing, groceries, insurance, and health care. I also plan to fight the political corruption catering to special interests that is responsible for this affordability crisis. My campaign has a Florida First agenda to lower costs and crush corruption.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
When I was three years old, my family fled communism as Jewish refugees in search of freedom and opportunity in America. I’ve led hundreds of people in high-pressure situations where lives depended on people devoted to the mission and their people and not to themselves. I served on the battlefield, in U.S. embassies, the Pentagon, and the White House, fighting for what is right and defending the nation that gave my family everything. I will be an independent voice in the U.S. Senate who can fight corruption and make Florida more affordable.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Working in a bipartisan way to make Florida more affordable and crush corruption.
Campaign website: alexvindman.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | X | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Threads | BlueSky
| REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES |
Chris Gleason
Occupation: Technical Consultant, Forensic Researcher, Election Integrity Advocate
Age: 54
Family: Family of 5
Education: B.A. - University of Massachusetts, Lowell
Political experience: 2024 Candidate for Supervisor of Elections, Pinellas County, FL
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Government accountability, Border security, Election Integrity
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
By honest education about the process.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
For being the greatest U.S. Senator in history.
Campaign website: voteforgleason.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | X | YouTube
Ashley Moody
Occupation: United States Senator for the people of Florida
Age: (No response)
Family: Husband and two boys
Education: -Bachelors in Accounting, University of Florida
-Masters in Accounting, University of Florida
-Law Degree, University of Florida
-Master of Laws in International Law, Stetson University College of Law
Political experience: “-Circuit Court Judge (nonpartisan election)
-38th Attorney General of Florida
-Commissioner on the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice, under President Trump’s first term
-Chair of Florida’s Statewide Council on Human Trafficking
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
The top three issues are the economy, public safety, and restoring trust and accountability to Washington. On the economy, I am proud to have delivered the largest tax cuts in American history: No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, and No Tax on Social Security. I am fighting to expand homeownership through the HELPER Act, which provides mortgage assistance for law enforcement officers, firefighters, first responders, and teachers so the heroes who serve our communities can afford to live in them. I am also working to protect small businesses from burdensome regulations. On public safety, I am bringing my experience as a federal prosecutor, judge, and Florida’s Attorney General to Washington. One of my first acts in the Senate was fighting to pass the HALT Fentanyl Act, and I continue working to secure our border and back the men and women in law enforcement who keep us safe. And on restoring trust and accountability, Florida families balance their budgets every month, Washington should too. I am working to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse so every taxpayer dollar is spent wisely, because government should work FOR the people, not the other way around. That is exactly the Florida playbook I am bringing to Washington.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I bring a record of fighting for Florida families. As a federal prosecutor, a circuit court judge, and Florida’s Attorney General, I’ve spent my career solving problems and delivering results. That experience is already paying off in the Senate: from delivering the largest tax cuts in American history, to securing over $1.7 billion in disaster recovery funding, nearly $1 billion for our military servicemembers and installations, to legislation protecting Florida families. I also bring something else most candidates cannot: a deep, lived knowledge of our beautiful Florida, as a fifth generation Floridian. I was born here, raised here, and I chose to raise my own family here. As the proud wife of a law enforcement officer, I understand firsthand the sacrifices made by the men and women who keep our communities safe. Voters do not have to guess how I will perform in Washington because they can look at what I have already delivered.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I hope to be remembered as a Senator who delivered for Florida families, not one who simply talked about it. I’m honored to have been named one of the most productive Senators and given an award for the best constituent services in the nation. When I make a promise, I intend to keep it. I made a promise to Governor DeSantis and the people of Florida when I took office that I would get things done, and I am doing just that. I want Florida families to look back and know that because of the work I did, they kept more of what they earned, their communities were safer, their kids had an opportunity to live their American Dream, and Washington was a little more accountable to the people it serves. I also hope to be remembered for bringing Florida’s commonsense approach to the rest of the country – proving that conservative leadership focused on results is exactly what restores the American Dream. Most of all, I want the next generation to inherit the same opportunities that made Florida the envy of the nation.
Campaign website: ashleymoody.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | X | Instagram
Neelam Perry
Occupation: Medical Doctor
Age:
Family: 2 sons
Education: M.D.
Political experience: Ran for Florida State House 62- 2016
U.S. Congress d14- 2024
Committee woman
PCREC
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Political influence being used by opposition
Corruption
Voter Deception and Fraud.
The solution is for the people to remove the current swamp out. Do not vote on any “incumbent’
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I have the smarts, the knowledge , skills and experience that the others don’t possess. I know where the shoe hurts and how to find x it
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Criminal Justice System Reform
Healthcare Reform
Campaign website: vote4perry.org
Campaign social media: Facebook | YouTube
Ernest Rivera
Occupation: Ordained Minister; Nonprofit Founder and Community Leader
Age: 68
Family: Married to his wife since 1983; father and grandfather.
Education: Doctor of Ministry, Reformed Theological Seminary (Orlando), 2000; M.A. in Education, New York University, 1990; B.A. in Psychology, University of Puerto Rico (Río Piedras), 1981.
Political experience: Ran for U.S. Senate (Florida) in 2016. Decades of civic and community leadership: statewide hurricane relief director after Hurricane Maria, co-founder of the Protect Our Children Project, organizer of 2,400+ pastors for the First Step Act, and TPUSA co-director in Pasco County.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
1. Cost of living — families are crushed by inflation, housing, and property insurance. I’ll fight to cut wasteful spending, lower taxes, unleash American energy, and pursue federal action to stabilize Florida’s insurance market. 2) Border security and the rule of law — I support securing the border, ending sanctuary policies, and honoring legal immigration. 3) Protecting families and children — defending life, religious liberty, parental rights, and continuing my life’s work against child trafficking and exploitation. I’ll bring a servant’s approach: show up, listen, and deliver.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I’m not a career politician — I’m a servant with nearly fifty years of proven, on-the-ground leadership. I’ve directed statewide disaster relief, co-founded an organization fighting child trafficking, built schools and churches across the Americas, and organized thousands of faith leaders for real reform. I’m bilingual and deeply connected to Florida’s diverse communities. I don’t come from the political establishment, and I don’t answer to it. I answer to Florida’s families.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I’d hope to be remembered as a Senator who put Florida’s families first — who helped make life more affordable, secured our border, protected the vulnerable, and defended our constitutional freedoms. Above all, I’d want to be remembered as a public servant who never forgot that government answers to the people, who told the truth even when it was hard, and who fought to leave Florida stronger and freer for the next generation.
Campaign website: ernie4senate.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube
| NO PARTY AFFILIATION CANDIDATE |
Neil Gillespie
Campaign website: neilgillespie4senate.blogspot.com
Campaign social media: None found
The no party affiliation candidate has not responded to email and telephone invitations to complete the News4JAX candidate questionnaire. If responses are received, they will be promptly posted in this space.