Who is Josh Weil? Florida teacher is running for US Senate. What we know
The self-described 'proud progressive' unsurprisingly lost the congressional district seat to Randy Fine, who was backed by President Trump, in a district where he won 60% of the vote in all six of the counties included in the district during the 2024 presidential election.
Weil, who earned almost 43% of the vote in his congressional race earlier this year, will be the first Democrat to represent Florida in the Senate since 2018 if he wins his 2026 race for one of Florida's two Senate seats.
Here's who Josh Weil is, who he's running against and a quick refresher on how midterm elections work.
More about Weil's campaign: Florida Democrat Josh Weil, who lost a House election in April, is running for U.S. Senate
Who is Josh Weil?
Josh Weil is a 40-year-old teacher from Orlando who has worked in Orange County Public Schools and the Osceola County School District as a math and science teacher, instructional coach and dean of students.
He's affiliated with the Islamic Center of Orlando, the Florida Education Association, the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus and the Florida chapter of Progressives for Democracy in America.
According to BallotPedia, Weil was born in East Meadow, New York, and earned bachelor's degrees from Stony Brook University and Northwood University in 2009 and 2011, before moving to Florida to earn his master's in 2013. He has a master's degree in teaching from the University of Central Florida in Orlando and a specialist of education certificate from Stetson University in DeLand. According to his campaign website, though, he was raised in Orlando.
He's also a divorced father to two boys, but told The Daytona Beach News-Journal in December that it didn't stop him from being fully dedicated to his then-campaign for a congressional seat.
"Josh was raised in Orlando by a single mom. Now, Josh is raising his own two boys, and he knows firsthand how hard it is becoming for Florida families to make ends meet," Weil's current campaign website says.
"Our health care costs too much, our homes cost too much, and our home insurance – when we can get it – costs even more. He's running for the U.S. Senate to keep Florida affordable for all Floridians and to ensure the economy works for the people it's currently leaving behind: workers, seniors, and families."
This is his second attempt at running for a Senate seat. In 2022, he made a bid for the Senate and dropped out just before qualifying, when then-U.S. Rep. Val Demings went on to challenge incumbent Marco Rubio, The News-Journal reported in December.
Weil was "among the longest of longshots" in a district that was 49% Republican and 26% Democrat going into the 2024 presidential election, where President Trump won with more than 60% in each of the six counties that make up the 6th District. Weil still went on to earn 42.7% of the vote in that election, according to BallotPedia.
April's congressional election: Randy Fine wins 6th District against Josh Weil
Who is Josh Weil running against? Special election for Marco Rubio's Senate seat
Weil is running for the Senate seat currently held by Ashley Moody, who was Florida's Attorney General from 2019 through January 2025, when she was sworn into office after Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed her to fill Marco Rubio's seat.
Rubio's Senate seat was left vacant after he was appointed to become the U.S. Secretary of State in January.
Moody has President Trump's endorsement for the seat, but isn't running uncontested. Not only is Weil running against her in the race for the seat she currently holds, but a fellow Republican announced his candidacy as well.
Jake Lang, who was charged with and pardoned for attacking police officers during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection in Washington, D.C., is also running for the Senate seat, according to reports from Newsweek and The Guardian.
From January 2025: Gov. DeSantis names his pick to replace Marco Rubio in US Senate
How many senators does each state have? Here's who Florida's current senators are
The United States Congress is composed of two governing bodies: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The number of representatives each state gets in the House is determined by the state population. Florida has 28 congressional districts, so it is represented by 28 representatives in the House.
But the number of representatives each state has in the Senate is the same for all 50 states. Each state is represented by two senators, totaling 100 senators. Florida's current senators are Rick Scott and Ashley Moody, both Republicans. Former Florida Gov. Rick Scott has represented Florida in the Senate since 2019.
If Weil wins his run for Senate, it will be the first time Florida's been represented by a Democrat in the Senate since 2018.
When are the Senate elections? How congressional, midterm elections work
Elections for the United States Senate are part of midterm elections, which are held approximately halfway through a presidential term.
Elections to the U.S. Senate are expected to be held on Nov. 3, 2026, with 33 of the 100 seats up for regular election, according to BallotPedia.
Those elected to the U.S. Senate in the 33 regular elections on Nov. 3, 2026, will begin their six-year terms on Jan. 3, 2027. U.S. Senators serve six-year terms. Senators elected in the 33 regular midterm elections in November 2026 will begin their six-year terms on Jan. 3, 2027.
The reason why Moody's seat is up for reelection, although she will have only served for around a year by the time midterms come, is that the governor appointed her to fill a vacancy. When a Senate seat is left vacant, the state's governor makes a temporary appointment to fill the seat until an election can be held to fill it. That makes this election a special election.
Ashley Moody announced her candidacy shortly after being appointed by Gov. DeSantis in early 2025.
Whoever wins the 2026 election to fill Rubio's seat will have to run again in 2028, when his term would have ended had he not been appointed as the Secretary of State.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida teacher running for senate to unseat Ashley Moody
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Oakland, Macomb primaries include some mayoral, council races; ballot issues
The polls have closed for the Aug. 5 primary in Oakland and Macomb counties, where clerks now will tally votes to see who will advance to the November election in several mayoral and city council races in a few communities and whether ballot questions passed or failed in others. The Free Press will update this story throughout the evening and into the next day as results filter in. Oakland County election results: Primary races, ballot proposals Macomb County election results: Primary races, ballot proposals In Oakland County, voters will narrow the field for mayor in one of the county's biggest cities, Southfield, as well as the county seat of Pontiac. Ryan Foster and Sylvia Jordan, former Southfield city council president, are challenging Mayor Kenson Siver for the four-year mayoral term in Southfield. In Pontiac, nine people are competing for the four-year mayoral term, with two of the candidates being write-ins. They are vying to replace Mayor Tim Greimel, a Democrat, who announced in April that he is running for Michigan's 10th District House seat in Congress. Four people also are seeking one, four-year, at-large city council seat in Pontiac and 15 people, one of whom is a write-in, are competing for six seats on the city's library board, which are four-year terms. In Macomb County, New Baltimore Mayor Tom Semaan faces challengers City Councilman Ryan Covert and Patrick Green, president of the Anchor Bay School Board, for the two-year term. And in Sterling Heights, 13 candidates are running for six, four-year seats on the city council, including all six incumbents. Public safety, libraries among ballot proposals There were three issues on the ballot for voters in two communities in Oakland County. In Macomb County, two communities were voting on three proposals, all dealing with public safety. In Novi, the city asked voters if it could borrow up to $120 million and issue bonds to pay for a new public safety facility, including police and fire facilities; two new fire department facilities to replace Fire Stations 2 and 3, and renovations to Fire Station 4. If approved, the estimated millage to be levied in 2026 is 1 mill and the estimated simple average annual millage rate required to retire the bonds is 0.95 mills, according to the ballot language. Two library-related measures were on the ballot in Oakland Township. Voters were asked to renew a 0.1134-mill library millage, which expires this year, for four years. The revenue in the first year the millage would be collected, if approved, is about $235,000, according to the ballot language. Oakland Township voters also were asked to vote on a new millage not to exceed 0.1412 mill for five years, starting this year, for library services for residents. If approved, the millage would collect about $289,000 in the first year. Revenue from both library millages may be distributed to the Rochester Hills Public Library pursuant to contract. In Macomb County, Clinton Township residents were asked to vote on a 10-year proposal that would provide funds for acquiring new police apparatus and other pay for other costs for police. The 2.3766 mills would raise about $9.6 million when first levied in 2026, if approved, according to the ballot language. Two, five-year, fire-related renewal millages were on the ballot in Ray Township. There was a 1.5-mill renewal for fire and rescue operations, to bring in more than $491,700 in the first year, 2026, if approved, according to the ballot language. Another proposal in Ray Township asked voters about a 1-mill renewal to buy fire and rescue equipment and truck replacment. The millage would generate more than $327,800 in the first year, if approved. School proposals before voters Northville Public Schools asked voters to continue to renew the 0.9357-mill building and site sinking fund millage that expires with the 2025 tax levy for 10 years, beginning in 2026, for school buildings, school security improvements and instructional technology. The renewal would bring in more than $4 million in the first year if approved. Armada Area Schools asked voters to borrow just over $12 million and issue bonds for school buildings, instructional technology and developing, improving and equipping sites. Fitzgerald Public Schools had two proposals before voters. One asked to borrow more than $42 million and issue bonds for school buildings and other facilities; technology and technology infrastucture; an addition to a school building, and improving, developing, and equipping sites and structures, including playgrounds, playfields and athletic fields and constructing an outdoor learning area, according to ballot language. The other proposal would authorize 3 mills for 10 years, starting July 1, 2026, to create a building and site sinking fund for school buildings; school security improvements; technology; student transportation, and maintenance of student transportation vehicles. The district would receive more than $1.6 million in revenue during 2026 if approved. Contact Christina Hall: chall@ Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter. Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press. Submit a letter to the editor at This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Oakland, Macomb primary election: Races for mayor, city council, more Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Live updates: Michigan primary election results 2025
Polls are closing across the region on a primary election for municipal races from Detroit to New Baltimore. Detroiters voted today to winnow the field of 9 Detroit mayoral candidates down to the two who will face off in November to be the city's first new mayor in 12 years. Seven other communities − Dearborn Heights, Hamtramck, Taylor, Sterling Heights, New Baltimore, Southfield and Pontiac − also held mayoral primaries. Additional races for other city officers, as well as funding proposals for schools and communities, were on some area ballots. Get live primary election results and updates from across southeast Michigan below. Michigan primary election results 2025 Detroit and Wayne County primary races, ballot proposals Macomb County primary races, ballot proposals Oakland County primary races, ballot proposals 3 p.m. Using artificial intelligence for candidate research Outside of Harwood Elementary School in Sterling Heights, Joseph Hunter, 39, turned to ChatGPT to help him seek out the more progressive candidates. Only one name came up: Michael V. Radtke Jr. Hunter dug deeper and checked the sources that the artificial intelligence relied on. He said he also planned to vote for Robert Mijac, Maria G. Schmidt, Barbara A. Ziarko and Deanna Koski. Hunter works for LGBT Detroit and moved to Sterling Heights a couple of years ago. He said he has had mostly positive experiences with city government, except for the police department. Hunter detailed an experience he had after parking his car to see a movie. An officer started questioning him, asking him what he was doing there and insinuating that he does drugs, Hunter said. 'So when I really sit back and think about what I hope city council can do, I would say something about policing to where it's not as hostile to people of color,' he said. -Clara Hendrickson 1:30 p.m. Young Detroiter votes in 'historic mayoral race' Mia Elzy, 29, voted in northwest Detroit on Tuesday, Aug. 5. "I always participate in the voting process and it's a historic mayoral race," she said, noting that current Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan isn't on the ballot for the first time in over a decade, as he has launched an independent campaign for Michigan Governor instead. She was torn between candidates, but landed on Saunteel Jenkins, and admires the work she's done running a nonprofit providing energy assistance to low-income residents. Elzy voted after 1 p.m. and was the 21st voter at her precinct, but noted there could be significant absentee ballot participation as well. She'd like to see more effort to engage people, remind them to vote, and make sure they can get time off work to vote, because sometimes the date comes up quickly. "People live such busy lives that sometimes they forget," Elzy said. -Emily Lawler This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan primary election results 2025: Live updates Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Candidates clash over issues in Wayne County as voters flock to polls for mayor, council
Voters in Wayne County communities flocked to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 5, to vote for various proposals and to whittle down the number of candidates for mayors and city council members for the November election. Election results are expected later tonight. Several cities, such as Dearborn, did not have primary elections for elected positions because of a lack of candidates, sparking concerns for some about the lack of participation this year in local politics. Across Wayne County, including in Detroit, there were 47 elected positions that did not have primary elections on Tuesday due to an insufficient number of candidates as required under state election law, Wayne County records show. Election results 2025: Detroit and Wayne County primary races, ballot proposals Some cities did not have any primary election at all because none of the positions had enough candidates; in addition to Dearborn, the cities without an election on August 5 were: Flatrock, Gibraltar, Grosse Pointe Farms, Harper Woods, Riverview, Rockwood, Romulus and Southgate. In Westland, the 4th largest city in Wayne County, there is no election for mayor this year because Westland Mayor Kevin Coleman is running unopposed. Here's a look at some of the races: Taylor race for mayor, council heats up over towing contract In Taylor, Downriver's largest city, Mayor Tim Woolley is facing three challengers: Timothy Long, David Mortensen, and Herman 'Butch' Ramik. There are also 16 candidates running for seven city council seats; the top two vote-getters in the mayoral race and the top 14 vote-getters in the council race will advance to the November election. Taylor currently has only six city council members because a vacant position has not been filled for more than a year. A lot of the campaigning this year has focused on a controversy over towing contracts. Mayor Woolley last year approved a city contract with J&T Crova Towing Enterprises for towing in the city after the city council deadlocked 3 to 3 on choosing them over Area Towing, which has contracted with the city for years. Some residents and candidates have complained that Area Towing often overcharged customers, unaware of the costs when getting their vehicles towed. After a lawsuit was filed, Wayne County Judge Brian Sullivan ruled on April 29 that Woolley "lacks authority to unilaterally award the contract." Ramik and Long, who opposed Woolley's decision, have noted that J&T Crova Towing's president of operations, Louay Hussein, and family members, donated thousands of dollars to some city council candidates. Ramik, a former Taylor city councilman, said "pay to play" is "alive and well in Taylor." "In my 15 years on Taylor City Council I have never seen a contractor like Louay Hussein" giving large sums of money to those running for public office, Ramik said. Long told the Free Press he's running to "expose all forms of waste, fraud and abuse." He said some candidates are "taking money from a towing company so they will help J&T get a big contract with the city." Woolley did not return a message seeking comment. J&T Crova Towing said in a Facebook post that Taylor residents were "exploited" under Area Towing and defended their campaign contributions. "If it takes funding every campaign that's willing to clean house at city hall, we'll do it," the company said. "We will not stop until there's a council that answers to the public." The previous mayor of Taylor, Richard Sollars, is currently serving time in prison for bribery. Livonia voters decide on controversial $150 million bond proposal In Livonia, there's been an intense debate in recent months over a $150 million bond proposal to fund a new library, new police station, a 2.5 acre central plaza, pathways from parks to the city's civic center campus and to expand and renovate fire stations, Hometime Life reported. If approved, the proposal will cost an average homeowner $144 a year. It's supported by Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan. Livonia, like other suburbs in metro Detroit, is trying to develop more walkable areas, but faces an aging population. The city's population has been declining over the past 20 years and was at about 95,000 residents in the 2020 census. 'The Livonia Built Bond Proposal is a commitment to our city's future," Brosnan told the Free Press in a statement through a spokesperson. "This investment would upgrade police and fire facilities and create new spaces where our children can learn and play and our community can celebrate together. The goal is to build the infrastructure that keeps our residents and attracts young families.' But opponents, who have spoken out against the plan at city council meetings, say it's a tax increase for unnecessary projects. "I do not support the $150 million dollar bond," city council candidate Patrick Brockway told Hometown Life. "While I understand it took a long time to put together, it incorrectly handcuffs first responder needs to luxury projects the city does not require. It results in the destruction of Bennett Library and much woodland. We can do better as a city." There are 19 council candidates running for four seats; the primary will narrow that down to eight candidates for the November election. Big money raised in Dearborn Heights race for mayor, council Dearborn Heights is a small suburb of 63,292 residents that has seen contentious fights over the years, with members of the council often battling amongst themselves and with the mayor. Dearborn Heights Mayor Bill Bazzi is not running for reelection because he was picked by President Donald Trump in March to be ambassador to Tunisia. Bazzi, an immigrant from Lebanon who endorsed Trump in October because he said Trump promised to end war in the Middle East, became the first Muslim to become mayor of Dearborn Heights in January 2021 when the council chose him after Mayor Dan Paletko's death. Bazzi was then elected by voters in November later that year with 72% of the vote. The four candidates running for mayor are Hussein Anani, president of Dynamic Glazing Systems, a glass and mirror shop in Detroit; Lena Arzouni, a real estate investor and former bank manager; Dearborn Heights city council chair Mo Baydoun, listed as Mohamad Baydoun in his Wayne County finance records, who co-owns an ice cream shop, The Custard Company; and Councilwoman Denise Malinowski Maxwell, who lost against Bazzi in 2021. In 2023, Baydoun was the highest vote getter among nine candidates running for city council seats. Baydoun has raised $210,297 so far this year, according to his campaign report filed July 29th with Wayne County. He's spent $131,972 in his mayoral campaign with a current balance of $80,825. He was fined by Wayne County for filing his report past the July 25th deadline. His contributors include Wayne County Deputy Executive Assad Turfe, who gave him $1,000, and Dearborn Heights 20th district court judge David Turfe, who donated $200. The amount raised and spent by Baydoun is unusually high for a small suburb, said some opponents. "The amount of money being spent campaigning is unbelievable," Malinowski Maxwell told the Free Press. "The position only pays a certain amount and I personally can't justify spending more money than I would make in a year." The current salary for the mayor of Dearborn Heights is $111,508, with a proposed increase to $113,738, according to city records. Malinowski Maxwell is spending her own money for her campaign. She raised $8,000, which she donated to her campaign, according to Wayne County records. "I have ran a clean and frugal campaign," she said. Anani and Baydoun did not return messages seeking comment. Baydoun, an outspoken critic of Israel, drew attention in 2023 when he canceled a previously scheduled ice cream social with State Sen. Sylvia Santana, D-Detroit, at The Custard Company, which he co-owns, with locations in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights, because he was upset with Santana visiting Israel. Bazzi, who often spars with Baydoun, said he has endorsed Arzouni. "I will never endorse Mohamad Baydoun, who can not even run a meeting," Bazzi said. "How can he run a city? His meetings are chaotic and keeps insulting the staff ... He is focused on himself and his circle." Over the past couple of years, Dearborn Heights has seen squabbles among city officials and the police department over staffing and accusations of bias. A group of white police officials filed a lawsuit last year in federal court alleging anti-white bias and ageism, saying that Arab-American elected officials prefer officers who are "young and Arab." Arzouni said in a statement emailed to the Free Press: "I am tired of the antics of our elected officials and sympathize with the residents' frustrations. ... As a businesswoman and throughout my 25 years of experience in management, it is time to put my leadership experience to use in helping this city." Hamtramck votes for new mayor, 3 council seats As in Dearborn Heights, the mayor, Amer Ghalib, is not running for reelection because Trump picked Ghalib in March to be ambassador to Kuwait. There are four candidates running for Hamtramck mayor: Adam Alharbi, a former campaign manager for Ghalib who works at the United States Patent and Trademark Office in the Commerce Department; Mister Bangladesh, a former journalist; Khan Hossain, a validation product chief at Stellantis; and Councilman Muhith Mahmood. Alharbi is part of a group of Muslims in Hamtramck who engaged with Republicans and the Trump campaign over the past couple of years. In 2023, he and Ghalib visited an evangelical church in Sterling Heights to meet with retired General Michael Flynn, who later came to Hamtramck for a town hall with Muslims. When Trump rallied in Hamtramck in October with Ghalib and others, Alharbi was in the front rows. Alharbi, Hossain and Mahmood did not return messages seeking comment. Mahmood faces allegations he does not live in the city, claims he has denied. State Police are currently investigating the allegations. There are also currently investigations in Hamtramck regarding the alleged actions of the city manager and police chief and of alleged voter fraud involving absentee ballots in 2023. If elected, Alharbi, an immigrant from Yemen, said on Facebook that he will work on "creating a new Yemen Town to attract visitors and boost local economies." He also said that he will work to reduce water rates, which he said are too high. Hossain called for unity in a statement on his website: "As a proud Muslim, I also feel a responsibility to reflect the true values of our faith—peace, justice, and compassion. Our leadership should bring people together, not create division. It's time for a renewed vision—one where every resident feels respected, represented, and empowered." Ghalib, who endorsed Trump last year, told the Free Press he supports Alharbi, but "did not officially endorse anyone" because he wants to abide by the Hatch Act, which restricts political activity by federal employees. While he hasn't yet been confirmed by the Senate to be ambassador, I'm "trying to be careful since there was no specific time for confirmation," Ghalib said. "However, I do support Adam Alharbi for Mayor, and wish city council candidates the best of luck." It's unclear when the Senate will vote on confirming Ghalib and Bazzi. Ghalib said he supports candidates who "would like to continue with the same vision of my team" and opposes the candidates who "want to reverse everything, disregarding the loud voice of the community and resisting any efforts to change." Bangladesh, an immigrant from Bangladesh, was born as Dewan Mahmud Chowdhury, later changing his name to reflect "love for my motherland," the council candidate told the Free Press. But now, "my only identity" is American and if elected, will work to promote unity, he said. Bangladesh said he has lived in the U.S. for nine years, about half of that in Michigan. In Hamtramck, which has the highest percentage of immigrants among cities in Michigan, "people of all faiths live here with a sense of brotherhood and social harmony." Bangladesh said. "I will work to make Hamtramck a city of unity." There are also 12 candidates running for three council seats in Hamtramck. The top six vote-getters in the primary will move on to compete in November. One of the candidates is Russ Gordon, who has battled with the city for years to raise a LGBTQ+ pride flag on city property. Gordon was removed in July 2023 from a city commission after he defied the law by raising a pride flag on a city sidewalk. Hometown Life reporter Susan Bromley contributed to this story. Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@ X @nwarikoo or Facebook @nwarikoo This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Wayne County elections for mayor, council, bond proposals heat up Solve the daily Crossword
