Latest news with #USSenate2026
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Josh Weil launches 2026 U.S. Senate bid against Ashley Moody
The Brief Democrat Josh Weil announced a 2026 U.S. Senate run against GOP incumbent Ashley Moody. Weil criticized rising living costs and accused Moody of prioritizing politics over people. Republicans dismissed his campaign, calling him a "failed congressional candidate." ORLANDO, Fla. - Just months after an unsuccessful bid for a seat in the U.S. House, Democrat Josh Weil announced Wednesday that he will try to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody 2026. What we know Democrat Josh Weil, a former U.S. House candidate and educator, announced on Wednesday that he will run for the U.S. Senate in 2026, aiming to unseat Republican incumbent Ashley Moody. Moody, Florida's former attorney general, was appointed to the Senate seat in January by Gov. Ron DeSantis after Sen. Marco Rubio resigned to become U.S. Secretary of State. Weil's campaign focuses on rising costs for Floridians and what he describes as political inaction. What we don't know It remains unclear whether Weil will face a Democratic primary challenger or if other Republicans will contest Moody's seat. Also unknown is how competitive the race will be statewide, given Florida's recent rightward shift and the GOP's dominance in statewide elections. Voter enthusiasm for Weil, who lost his last race in a solidly red district, will also be tested on a larger stage. The backstory Weil ran in an April 1 special election for Florida's 6th Congressional District but lost to Republican Randy Fine. Despite the loss, Democratic leaders pointed to Weil's relative strength in the heavily Republican district as a sign of potential. He gained visibility during that campaign, which he now hopes to leverage in his statewide Senate bid. What they're saying Weil launched a campaign website this week. "I'm running because Floridians are suffering," Weil wrote in his campaign announcement. "Rent, health care, gas, home insurance — everything is more expensive than ever and politicians are making it worse. Ashley Moody is putting politics over Floridians." In response, the Republican Party of Florida dismissed Weil's candidacy, calling him "a failed congressional candidate." STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by Josh Weil for Senate, the Republican Party of Florida, and the News Service of Florida.
Washington Post
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Josh Weil announces 2026 Senate run to challenge Ashley Moody in Florida
ORLANDO, Fla. — Democrat Josh Weil, who raised millions of dollars for an unsuccessful U.S. House campaign in Florida, said Wednesday that he will run for the U.S. Senate in 2026. If he were to become the Democratic nominee, Weil would challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody. She is a former state attorney general who was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill the seat vacated when Marco Rubio was named secretary of state.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Josh Weil announces 2026 Senate run to challenge Ashley Moody in Florida
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Democrat Josh Weil, who raised millions of dollars for an unsuccessful U.S. House campaign in Florida, said Wednesday that he will run for the U.S. Senate in 2026. If he were to become the Democratic nominee, Weil would challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody. She is a former state attorney general who was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill the seat vacated when Marco Rubio was named secretary of state. Weil said in a news release that he's running to make the state more affordable, especially for working people and the elderly. He also pledged to safeguard Social Security, health care and education. 'I'm running because Floridians are suffering,' Weil said. 'People can't afford to live here anymore. Rent, health care, gas, home insurance — everything is more expensive than ever and politicians are making it worse." The Moody campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday. She has been collecting endorsements from prominent Republicans, dozens of sheriffs and others. Weil, a public school teacher and administrator in the Orlando area, gained national attention when he raised about $15 million from small donors — according to his news release — for a U.S. House special election against Republican Randy Fine, who raised far less but nevertheless won the 6th District seat in April. Whoever wins the 2026 Senate race will finish the final two years of Rubio's term, then could run for reelection in 2028. It's unclear yet who else might enter the race. "I'm running for U.S. Senate because Floridians deserve more than survival. They deserve a fighter who won't sell out, won't back down and will fight for the future their hard work has earned,' Weil said.
Associated Press
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Josh Weil announces 2026 Senate run to challenge Ashley Moody in Florida
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Democrat Josh Weil, who raised millions of dollars for an unsuccessful U.S. House campaign in Florida, said Wednesday that he will run for the U.S. Senate in 2026. If he were to become the Democratic nominee, Weil would challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody. She is a former state attorney general who was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill the seat vacated when Marco Rubio was named secretary of state. Weil said in a news release that he's running to make the state more affordable, especially for working people and the elderly. He also pledged to safeguard Social Security, health care and education. 'I'm running because Floridians are suffering,' Weil said. 'People can't afford to live here anymore. Rent, health care, gas, home insurance — everything is more expensive than ever and politicians are making it worse.' The Moody campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday. She has been collecting endorsements from prominent Republicans, dozens of sheriffs and others. Weil, a public school teacher and administrator in the Orlando area, gained national attention when he raised about $15 million from small donors — according to his news release — for a U.S. House special election against Republican Randy Fine, who raised far less but nevertheless won the 6th District seat in April. Whoever wins the 2026 Senate race will finish the final two years of Rubio's term, then could run for reelection in 2028. It's unclear yet who else might enter the race. 'I'm running for U.S. Senate because Floridians deserve more than survival. They deserve a fighter who won't sell out, won't back down and will fight for the future their hard work has earned,' Weil said.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Buddy Carter says state needs ‘a true Conservative' as he runs for U.S. Senate against Ossoff
Channel 2 Action News is hearing from the lone Republican to throw his hat in the race, so far, to try and unseat Jon Ossoff in the U.S. Senate race in 2026. While there is a long list of Republicans potentially waiting to announce, Georgia U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter is the only one to announce his run. Carter told Channel 2's Richard Elliot that he thinks he will win the primary and general election. Elliot was inside the studio on Friday as Carter made his first appearance on Atlanta radio, just days after he announced he would run for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. The St. Simons Island lawmaker said he only jumped in when he learned Gov. Brian Kemp stepped aside. TRENDING STORIES: Traffic stop lands GA college student in ICE custody 2 weeks after same thing happened to father GSP trooper pulled from car after landing in creek during chase Buc-ee's announces opening date for new Georgia location 'After the governor decided he didn't want to run, I knew we needed a true Conservative, someone who's going to support President Trump's agenda,' Carter said. But Carter may not be the only republican jumping in. In an exclusive interview at the White House last week, Elliot asked U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene if she intended to run. 'All options are open to me,' Greene said. Earlier this week, Elliot also spoke with U.S. Rep. Mike Collins about a potential run. He said he wants to hear from President Trump. 'We'll obviously get in touch with and be with the Trump administration on talks, and just see who the president wants to get behind. We'll start pushing from here,' Collins said. Meanwhile, Ossoff is taking a position of wait and see. 'I'm not spending a whole lot of time worrying about who might run for the Senate. My job is to deliver for Georgia. My job is to deliver for my constituents,' Ossoff said. Ossoff doesn't have an opponent in the Democratic primary. Other Republicans reportedly considering a run are Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King.
