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Republicans take most top-ballot races in Florida midterm election
By Juliana DeFilippo
November 3, 2026 at 7:08 PM EST
Republicans sweep Florida’s midterm elections, as Byron Donalds becomes the state’s first Black governor and Ashley Moody secures her Senate seat.
As voters in red states like Texas and South Carolina showed support for Democratic candidates this midterm cycle, many wondered if the pattern would be reflected in Florida. As races are called, Republicans are strengthening their hold on the state government.
Races for governor and Senate were closer than expected, with Donalds winning by a margin of just 1.4 and Moody by 3.
Here’s a rundown of the state races for which results have been called:
U.S. Senate victory: Ashley Moody
Republican Ashley Moody wins her first election to the U.S. Senate seat she has held since 2025. Nominated by Gov. Ron DeSantis after Marco Rubio became Secretary of State, Moody faced off against Democrat Angie Nixon this election.
Senator Ashley Moody, who won the special Senate election on Tuesday for Marco Rubio's old seat, waves as she walks to the stage during a rally for GOP candidates running for Senate, the House, and Governor of Florida on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Fla. (Matthew Lewis/WUFT) (3000x2000, AR: 1.5)
"Throughout this campaign, I said that this election would come down to freedom versus socialism. Well, Florida chose freedom," Moody said in her victory speech at her downtown Tampa watch party, with about 100 supporters including campaign staff.
She faced criticism for her involvement in the Hope Florida scandal after a grand jury concluded that she was aware of the $10 million diverted from a Medicaid settlement, which Moody denies.
Moody plans to promote America First policies and support President Donald Trump’s agenda during her senate term.
Governor victory: Byron Donalds
Byron Donalds is Florida’s first Black governor, and the country’s first Black Republican governor, defeating Democrat David Jolly by 111,929 votes, according to the Associated Press. He was endorsed by Trump and plans to bring down the cost of living in Florida and increase border control.
Donalds posted a statement on X shortly after his win.
“Florida is the envy of the nation,” he wrote. “I will fight day and night to keep it that way and to lift our state to even greater heights.”
A former Democrat, Donalds faced off against Jolly, a former Republican and Independent, in this election. He continues Florida’s almost 30-year streak of Republican governors.
Donalds celebrated his win in Hollywood Florida from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Chief Financial Officer victory: Blaise Ingoglia
Republican Blaise Ingoglia earned his first full term as chief financial officer in the midterms after being appointed to the position by DeSantis in 2025.
As the incumbent, Ingoglia will continue to oversee the State Treasury and manage statewide accounting and payroll. The chief financial officer also serves as the state fire marshal.
Attorney General victory: James Uthmeier
After being appointed as attorney general by DeSantis, replacing Ashley Moody, James Uthmeier was elected to the position this midterm over Democrat Jose Javier Rodriguez.
Uthmeier gained prominence as DeSantis’ chief of staff and was instrumental in the development of the South Florida Detention Facility, or Alligator Alcatraz, which has since closed.
As attorney general, Uthmeier plans to continue limiting immigration and advocating for children.
He shared a statement on X shortly after his win.
“We’ll keep locking up child predators, backing law enforcement, and defending your God-given rights,” he wrote.
Agriculture Commissioner victory: Wilton Simpson
Republican incumbent Wilton Simpson secured another term as agriculture commissioner. He has served in the role since 2023 after years in the Florida Senate.
Simpson defeated Democrat Joey Adkins, a trial attorney who supports farm workers. During his time as agriculture commissioner, he has worked to pass legislation expanding farmers’ rights and advocating for citrus growers.
“I am grateful to the millions of Floridians who tuned out the noise and chose common sense,” Simpson wrote in a Facebook post. “Together, we will protect the Free State of Florida for our children and grandchildren.”
Polls closed at 7 p.m. local time in Florida, 8 p.m. ET in the western Panhandle. See all other Florida election results here and complete Florida voting coverage here.
Join us for live election night coverage on UF+, available on all major streaming devices including Roku, Fire Stick and Apple TV. Coverage starts at 7:30 p.m.
Can't watch? Listen instead! WUFT-FM will have live updates, analysis and results from NPR News starting at 8 p.m. Click the orange play button above to listen.
As voters in red states like Texas and South Carolina showed support for Democratic candidates this midterm cycle, many wondered if the pattern would be reflected in Florida. As races are called, Republicans are strengthening their hold on the state government.
Races for governor and Senate were closer than expected, with Donalds winning by a margin of just 1.4 and Moody by 3.
Here’s a rundown of the state races for which results have been called:
U.S. Senate victory: Ashley Moody
Republican Ashley Moody wins her first election to the U.S. Senate seat she has held since 2025. Nominated by Gov. Ron DeSantis after Marco Rubio became Secretary of State, Moody faced off against Democrat Angie Nixon this election.
Senator Ashley Moody, who won the special Senate election on Tuesday for Marco Rubio's old seat, waves as she walks to the stage during a rally for GOP candidates running for Senate, the House, and Governor of Florida on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Fla. (Matthew Lewis/WUFT) (3000x2000, AR: 1.5)
"Throughout this campaign, I said that this election would come down to freedom versus socialism. Well, Florida chose freedom," Moody said in her victory speech at her downtown Tampa watch party, with about 100 supporters including campaign staff.
She faced criticism for her involvement in the Hope Florida scandal after a grand jury concluded that she was aware of the $10 million diverted from a Medicaid settlement, which Moody denies.
Moody plans to promote America First policies and support President Donald Trump’s agenda during her senate term.
Governor victory: Byron Donalds
Byron Donalds is Florida’s first Black governor, and the country’s first Black Republican governor, defeating Democrat David Jolly by 111,929 votes, according to the Associated Press. He was endorsed by Trump and plans to bring down the cost of living in Florida and increase border control.
Donalds posted a statement on X shortly after his win.
“Florida is the envy of the nation,” he wrote. “I will fight day and night to keep it that way and to lift our state to even greater heights.”
A former Democrat, Donalds faced off against Jolly, a former Republican and Independent, in this election. He continues Florida’s almost 30-year streak of Republican governors.
Donalds celebrated his win in Hollywood Florida from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Chief Financial Officer victory: Blaise Ingoglia
Republican Blaise Ingoglia earned his first full term as chief financial officer in the midterms after being appointed to the position by DeSantis in 2025.
As the incumbent, Ingoglia will continue to oversee the State Treasury and manage statewide accounting and payroll. The chief financial officer also serves as the state fire marshal.
Attorney General victory: James Uthmeier
After being appointed as attorney general by DeSantis, replacing Ashley Moody, James Uthmeier was elected to the position this midterm over Democrat Jose Javier Rodriguez.
Uthmeier gained prominence as DeSantis’ chief of staff and was instrumental in the development of the South Florida Detention Facility, or Alligator Alcatraz, which has since closed.
As attorney general, Uthmeier plans to continue limiting immigration and advocating for children.
He shared a statement on X shortly after his win.
“We’ll keep locking up child predators, backing law enforcement, and defending your God-given rights,” he wrote.
Agriculture Commissioner victory: Wilton Simpson
Republican incumbent Wilton Simpson secured another term as agriculture commissioner. He has served in the role since 2023 after years in the Florida Senate.
Simpson defeated Democrat Joey Adkins, a trial attorney who supports farm workers. During his time as agriculture commissioner, he has worked to pass legislation expanding farmers’ rights and advocating for citrus growers.
“I am grateful to the millions of Floridians who tuned out the noise and chose common sense,” Simpson wrote in a Facebook post. “Together, we will protect the Free State of Florida for our children and grandchildren.”
Polls closed at 7 p.m. local time in Florida, 8 p.m. ET in the western Panhandle. See all other Florida election results here and complete Florida voting coverage here.
Join us for live election night coverage on UF+, available on all major streaming devices including Roku, Fire Stick and Apple TV. Coverage starts at 7:30 p.m.
Can't watch? Listen instead! WUFT-FM will have live updates, analysis and results from NPR News starting at 8 p.m. Click the orange play button above to listen.