Florida voters are heading to the polls Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in a primary election that will help determine the state's political direction heading into the November midterms. The biggest contests are the race to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, a special election for Florida's U.S. Senate seat, and a series of congressional races reshaped by a new Republican-friendly map.
1. Who will replace Ron DeSantis?
The most closely watched contest is the Republican primary for governor. DeSantis cannot seek another consecutive term because of Florida's term limits.
The leading Republican candidates include U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, and Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, a DeSantis ally. Businessman James Fishback and several other candidates are also competing.
Donalds' campaign is particularly significant because a victory would put him on track to potentially become Florida's first Black governor. The contest is also being viewed as an important test of Trump's influence over Florida Republicans.
On the Democratic side, former Republican congressman David Jolly, who later became a Democrat, is among the leading candidates. His performance will show whether Democrats can make the governor's race competitive in a state that has moved strongly toward Republicans in recent elections.
2. The unusual Senate election
Florida is also choosing candidates for a special U.S. Senate election.
The seat became vacant after Marco Rubio left the Senate to become Trump's secretary of state. DeSantis appointed then-Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to serve temporarily. Voters will now choose who completes the remainder of Rubio's original Senate term.
Moody is the leading Republican and has Trump's endorsement. On the Democratic side, Angie Nixon and Alexander Vindman are competing for the nomination.
The November contest will therefore be closely watched as another indicator of whether Democrats can regain ground in Florida.
3. A new congressional map could reshape Florida
Another major story is redistricting. Florida is holding its first congressional primaries under a new map that was designed to give Republicans an advantage in several districts.
That has put several Democratic incumbents in more difficult races and created new Republican opportunities. Among the Democrats facing important contests are Kathy Castor, Darren Soto and Jared Moskowitz.
In the 25th Congressional District, for example, progressive Oliver Larkin is challenging incumbent Democrat Jared Moskowitz. Larkin's campaign is testing whether the Democratic Socialists of America can expand their influence beyond traditionally progressive urban areas.
4. Debbie Wasserman Schultz faces a crowded field
Long-serving Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is also facing a notable primary contest in the newly redrawn 20th District.
Among her challengers is former Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who is attempting to return to Congress despite facing an indictment. Rapper and former Miami Beach commissioner Luther Campbell is also running in the Democratic primary.
The result could demonstrate how much the new district boundaries have changed the political dynamics of South Florida.
5. Republicans are also fighting among themselves
Florida's primary is not simply a contest between Republicans and Democrats. In several districts, Republicans are battling each other for nominations in races where the eventual Republican nominee could have a strong advantage in November.
Rep. Cory Mills, for example, is facing a Republican primary challenge amid controversies and an ethics investigation. The outcome will show whether Republican voters remain willing to support incumbent lawmakers facing political scandals.
6. How strong is Trump's influence?
Perhaps the broader political question is how much control Trump still has over Florida's Republican Party.
His endorsement of Byron Donalds in the governor's race and Ashley Moody in the Senate race gives voters an opportunity to either reinforce or challenge Trump's preferred candidates.
Florida is Trump's adopted political home, and the results could therefore provide an important measure of his influence ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
7. Turnout will matter
Florida's primary is a closed primary, meaning voters generally participate in the primary of the party with which they are registered. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time on Election Day.
Turnout will be particularly important in South Florida, where several competitive congressional and local races could reveal whether Democrats are rebuilding their support or whether Florida's Republican shift remains firmly entrenched.
Bottom line
The Florida primary is about much more than choosing candidates for November. The governor's race will determine who inherits DeSantis' political legacy; the Senate race will decide the candidates competing for Rubio's former seat; and the new congressional map will test whether Republicans can strengthen their already substantial advantage in the state.
The results will also provide one of the clearest early indications of Trump's strength within the Republican Party and whether Florida Democrats have any realistic path to making the state competitive again in the 2026 midterms.