AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Florida’s state primary

Florida voters will cast their votes on Tuesday to choose nominees for various positions. They will be selecting a replacement for term-limited Republican Governor Ron DeSantis and completing the remaining portion of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s unexpired U.S. Senate term. Additionally, the state will be holding its first congressional primaries since the adoption of a new district map intended to favor Republican candidates during the upcoming November elections.

The gubernatorial primary could significantly impact both parties in the state. The Republican race is primarily influenced by the longstanding rivalry between DeSantis and former President Donald Trump. DeSantis has not endorsed any candidate yet, while in the Democratic race, former Republican U.S. Representative David Jolly leads the pack, having recently joined the party in 2025 after leaving the GOP in 2018.

Jolly is backed by former Democratic U.S. Representative Gwen Graham, who will be listed alongside him on the ballot.

In the U.S. Senate race, Republican U.S. Senator Ashley Moody is expected to secure the party's nomination by facing minimal opposition. She was appointed by DeSantis in January 2025 to fill the vacancy left by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate seat will be either state Representative Angie Nixon or retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Alex Vindman.

Vindman is a former National Security Council staff member and a key figure in the Trump impeachment proceedings of 2019. On the other hand, Democratic Representative Nancy Pelosi's former Congressional Districts are now represented by Republicans. Democratic candidates Kathy Castor and Darren Soto are also running for re-election in their new Republican-friendly districts.

Lastly, U.S. Representative Jared Moskowitz is facing a primary challenge from union organizer and democratic socialist Oliver Larkin in South Florida.