Between classes, assignments, extracurriculars, and trying to maintain some semblance of a social life, keeping up with politics can feel like another full-time job. With Florida’s 2026 midterm elections approaching, there’s a lot to catch up on.
You probably recognize names like Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, but what about the people actually running to represent Florida? With campaign ads everywhere and politicians making stops across the state, it can be difficult to keep track of who’s running, what they stand for, and why their campaigns matter.
Florida’s midterm elections take place on Nov. 3, with races for the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, governor, attorney general, and other state and local offices. Whether you’re already following the election or couldn’t name a single candidate, here’s a breakdown of some of the major races.
U.S. Senate: Ashley Moody vs. Angie Nixon
One of Florida’s biggest races is for the U.S. Senate, where Republican incumbent Ashley Moody faces Democratic challenger Angie Nixon. Alongside them, independent candidate Neil Gillespie is also running.
Moody was Florida’s attorney general before Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed her to the Senate in 2025, replacing Marco Rubio. Her campaign emphasizes immigration enforcement, public safety, and economic policies associated with President Trump’s administration.
Nixon, meanwhile, is a state representative from Jacksonville with a background in community organizing. Her campaign focuses on economic inequality, affordable housing, healthcare access, and workers’ rights. While their policy differences are significant, their campaign strategies are another interesting part of the race.
You might’ve heard about Bernie Sanders visiting Tallahassee on Oct. 18. Sanders joined Nixon at The Moon for his Fighting Oligarchy Tour, drawing more than 1,000 attendees. The rally focused on issues including affordability and healthcare.
Tallahassee wasn’t their only stop. Sanders and Nixon also appeared together in Tampa, Melbourne, and Gainesville, bringing nationally recognized progressive politics into Florida’s Senate race. Moody’s campaign has taken a different approach, emphasizing endorsements from Trump, DeSantis, and Sen. Rick Scott, along with her experience in public office. Her campaign has also received support through outside political spending.
Governor: Byron Donalds vs. David Jolly
Florida’s gubernatorial race is another major contest, especially since DeSantis is finishing his second term. The two major-party candidates are Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly, although several independent and third-party candidates are also running.
Donalds currently represents Florida’s 19th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives and previously served in the Florida House. His campaign focuses on property taxes, education, immigration enforcement, and insurance costs.
Jolly’s political background is a little less straightforward. He previously served in Congress as a Republican, later became an independent, and joined the Democratic Party in 2025. His campaign emphasizes the cost of living, healthcare, public education, and homeowners’ insurance.
One major issue in the race is Florida’s property insurance market. Both candidates have discussed affordability, but their proposed solutions differ. According to WCTV’s coverage of their insurance proposals, Jolly has proposed creating a state-backed catastrophe insurance fund, while Donalds has supported changes to existing insurance programs.
For college students, issues like housing costs and education funding can make the governor’s race particularly relevant.
Attorney General: James Uthmeier vs. José Javier Rodríguez
You might not be too familiar with what Florida’s attorney general actually does. Essentially, the attorney general is the state’s chief legal officer, responsible for representing Florida in legal matters, enforcing certain laws, and protecting consumers. This year’s race features Republican incumbent James Uthmeier and Democratic challenger José Javier Rodríguez.
DeSantis appointed Uthmeier attorney general in February 2025 after he served as his chief of staff and general counsel. His tenure has included legal action involving immigration enforcement and other priorities of the DeSantis administration.
Rodríguez previously served in both the Florida House and Senate and later worked in the Biden administration’s Department of Labor. His campaign emphasizes consumer protection, government accountability, combating fraud, and public safety.
Although the attorney general’s race may not get as much attention as Senate or gubernatorial races, the office plays an important role in how Florida handles legal disputes and consumer protections. You learn more about both candidates’ backgrounds through the Florida Phoenix’s 2026 attorney general voter guide.
U.S. House: A race closer to campus
Bringing things closer to Tallahassee, Florida’s 2nd Congressional District has an open seat after Republican Rep. Neal Dunn announced he wouldn’t seek reelection. The two major-party candidates are Republican Austin Rogers and Democrat Amanda Marie Green.
Rogers is an attorney who previously worked as general counsel for Sen. Scott. His campaign highlights the economy, affordability, and how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence could affect American workers. Green has a background in international development and has focused her campaign on the cost of living, rural communities, healthcare, and government accountability.
According to WTXL’s interviews with both candidates, Rogers has emphasized jobs and economic concerns, while Green has discussed rural development and access to essential services. Because this district includes Tallahassee, it’s one of the congressional races with a direct connection to the FSU community.
There’s more to campaigning than ads
If you’ve ever wondered why politicians suddenly seem to be everywhere during election season, there’s a reason. Rallies, social media posts, endorsements, advertisements, and candidate interviews are all ways campaigns try to communicate with voters.
The Sanders and Nixon rally in Tallahassee is one example of how candidates can use appearances with nationally recognized figures to attract attention and publicize their priorities. Other candidates emphasize their records in office, endorsements, or specific policy proposals through advertising and public appearances.
While you might see these campaigns on your social media feeds, it’s worth distinguishing what candidates say about themselves from independently reported information about their positions and records. For anyone trying to understand the election, comparing those sources can offer a fuller picture of the people behind the campaign messages.
So, what’s actually on the ballot?
These aren’t the only races happening on Nov. 3. Florida is also electing a chief financial officer, agriculture commissioner, state legislators, and various local officials. Voters will also see constitutional amendments and potentially other local questions on their ballots.
With Election Day approaching, Florida’s 2026 midterms involve far more than the national political figures who usually dominate the headlines. From statewide races to candidates campaigning locally, there’s a lot to know about the people seeking to represent Florida.
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