U.S. Senate, Florida · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in the Florida U.S. Senate race?
Ashley Moody has the strongest record in the Florida U.S. Senate race. Ashley Moody scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Angie Nixon at 58, as of October 9, 2026. Ashley Moody's highest marks are roots in the constituency and relevant experience. Angie Nixon's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Neil J. Gillespie (4 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
No Party Affiliation
Neil J. Gillespie
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 4 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 56
- Performance
- NR
Republican · incumbent
Strongest record
Ashley Moody
63 / 100
Public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 44
- Qualifications
- 75
- Performance
- 69
Democratic
Angie Nixon
58 / 100
Public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 44
- Qualifications
- 70
- Performance
- NR
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Neil J. Gillespie
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Ashley Moody
- Unresolved2026-08
A sealed Hope Florida grand jury report, obtained by CBS News Miami, said she knew of and authorized the 2024 Medicaid settlement sending $10 million to the Hope Florida Foundation; she denies wrongdoing.
Where it stands: No charges filed; the grand jury found insufficient evidence to charge anyone. The report is under court seal and was published by CBS News Miami. Moody says her office had no knowledge of how the funds would be spent.
Sources: CBS News Miami, Aug. 27, 2026, WKMG ClickOrlando, Aug. 26, 2026
- On the record2026-09-09
Declined an Action News Jax and University of North Florida general election debate with Angie Nixon.
Source: Action News Jax via Yahoo News
- On the record2020-12-09
As attorney general, signed the 17-state amicus brief supporting Texas v. Pennsylvania, which sought to block certified results in four states.
- Credit2026-06
Her Senate office won the Congressional Management Foundation's 2026 Democracy Award for Best of Senate Constituent Service.
- Credit2025-07
Introduced the Secure U.S. Leadership in Space Act, whose spaceport bond provision was enacted in July 2025 as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Source: Yahoo News, July 11, 2025
- Credit2022-05
As attorney general, concluded Florida's opioid litigation when Walgreens became the 12th and final defendant to settle, bringing settlements to about $3 billion.
Source: WUWF, May 9, 2022
- Credit2015-01-29
As a Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Unified Family Court judge, she was listed in the Florida Supreme Court's 2015 pro bono awards program under the presentation of its Distinguished Judicial Service Award.
Source: Florida Supreme Court, 2015 Pro Bono Awards program (WFSU Gavel to Gavel)
Angie Nixon
- Mark against2026-05-14
The Florida House Rules and Ethics Committee formally reprimanded her by voice vote for using a megaphone on the House floor during the April 29, 2026 redistricting vote.
Sources: News Service of Florida via WUSF, May 14, 2026, News4Jax, May 14, 2026
- On the record2026-09-22
Arrested May 15, 2026 on a trespassing charge after a sit-in at the governor's office; resolved in September with a $250 payment and 15 hours of community service, no plea, and dismissal on completion.
Sources: Jacksonville Today (News4Jax), Sept. 2026, Ballotpedia, Angela Nixon
- On the record2024-08-16
Former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown sued her over quick-pick voter guides falsely attributed to Brown; on Aug. 16, 2024 the court entered an agreed temporary injunction with no finding that Nixon was involved.
Source: News4Jax, Aug. 16, 2024
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Neil J. Gillespie. No public record found.
Ashley Moody. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 29, 2026. No FEC administrative fine or Senate Ethics finding found. A sealed Hope Florida grand jury report brought no charges (see Record).
Sources: FEC candidate page, coverage dates, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00895763
Angie Nixon. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 29, 2026. No FEC administrative fine or Florida Commission on Ethics finding found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, coverage dates, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00915041
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Neil J. Gillespie. No public record found.
Ashley Moody. No public record found.
Angie Nixon. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Neil J. Gillespie. No public record found.
Ashley Moody. Declined the only reported 2026 general election debate invitation, an Action News Jax and University of North Florida debate that Nixon accepted. WUSF and Bay News 9 report the Senate candidates will not debate.
Sources: Action News Jax via Yahoo News, Sept. 9, 2026, WUSF via WLRN, Sept. 22, 2026, Bay News 9, Sept. 21, 2026
Angie Nixon. Accepted the Action News Jax and University of North Florida general election debate, which her opponent declined.
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Neil J. Gillespie. No public record found.
Ashley Moody. Circuit judge from 2007 to 2017, attorney general from 2019 to 2025 and a U.S. senator since January 2025, with no censure, reprimand or formal conduct finding found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Ashley B. Moody
Angie Nixon. The Florida House Rules and Ethics Committee formally reprimanded her on May 14, 2026 for using a megaphone on the House floor during the April 29 redistricting vote.
Sources: News Service of Florida via WUSF, May 14, 2026, Ballotpedia, Angela Nixon
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Neil J. Gillespie. No public record found.
Ashley Moody. As attorney general, signed the Dec. 2020 brief of 17 states supporting Texas v. Pennsylvania; Florida was an amicus, not a party, and did not join the motion to intervene. No misuse-of-office finding found.
Source: U.S. Supreme Court docket No. 155, Original, amicus brief of Missouri et al., Dec. 9, 2020
Angie Nixon. Held sworn office as a state representative from 2020 to 2026, with no official finding of misuse of office and no action to reject certified results. A 2026 trespass charge is set for dismissal without a plea.
Source: Ballotpedia, Angela Nixon
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Neil J. Gillespie. Says he founded and directs Justice Network, an advocacy group, and was a licensed motor vehicle dealer in Pennsylvania. Has not held public office.
Source: Ballotpedia, Neil Gillespie, Candidate Connection survey
Ashley Moody. Florida attorney general for six years (2019 to 2025), a circuit judge for ten years and a federal prosecutor; in the Senate since Jan. 21, 2025, less than one full term.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Ashley B. Moody, GovTrack, Ashley Moody
Angie Nixon. Served in the Florida House from 2020 to 2026, elected three times; earlier led the statewide coalition Florida for All. Has not held federal office.
Source: Ballotpedia, Angela Nixon
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Neil J. Gillespie. Lists priorities in general terms in his Ballotpedia survey, centered on separation of powers and First Amendment rights.
Source: Ballotpedia, Neil Gillespie, Candidate Connection survey
Ashley Moody. Serves on the Armed Services, Judiciary, Homeland Security, HELP and Aging committees and has introduced specific bills, including a bipartisan ban on stock trading by members of Congress. Holds no chair or ranking post.
Sources: GovTrack, committee membership, Spectrum News, Jan. 15, 2026
Angie Nixon. Describes legislative work on child care, price gouging and voting maps and lists policy goals in her Ballotpedia survey, mostly in general terms.
Source: Ballotpedia, Angela Nixon, Candidate Connection survey
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Neil J. Gillespie. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Source: Ballotpedia, Neil Gillespie
Ashley Moody. Publishes general positions on her campaign site. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey; no other questionnaire found answered.
Sources: Campaign site, home page, Ballotpedia, Ashley B. Moody
Angie Nixon. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey and accepted a televised general election debate.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Angela Nixon, Action News Jax via Yahoo News, Sept. 9, 2026
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Neil J. Gillespie. Lists an Ocala qualifying address with the Division of Elections and says he moved to Florida from Pennsylvania in 1993.
Sources: Florida Division of Elections, candidate detail, Ballotpedia, Neil Gillespie, Candidate Connection survey
Ashley Moody. Born in Plant City in 1975 and lists a Tampa qualifying address. About 59.6 percent of itemized individual contributions by state for 2025 to 2026 came from Florida (FEC).
Sources: Ballotpedia, Ashley B. Moody, FEC contribution totals by state
Angie Nixon. Born and lives in Jacksonville, which she represented in the Florida House. About 87.0 percent of itemized individual contributions by state for 2025 to 2026 came from Florida (FEC).
Sources: Ballotpedia, Angela Nixon, FEC contribution totals by state
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Neil J. Gillespie. No public record found.
Ashley Moody. As attorney general headed the Department of Legal Affairs, with about $390.7 million and 1,496.5 authorized positions in 2023 to 2024. Senate campaign reports are on file with no FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: Florida Auditor General, Report No. 2024-076, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00895763
Angie Nixon. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 29, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, coverage dates, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00915041
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Neil J. Gillespie. No public record found.
Ashley Moody. As attorney general concluded Florida's opioid litigation in 2022 with settlements totaling about $3 billion. A spaceport bond provision from her Secure U.S. Leadership in Space Act was enacted in July 2025.
Sources: WUWF, May 9, 2022, Yahoo News, July 11, 2025
Angie Nixon. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Neil J. Gillespie. No public record found.
Ashley Moody. Missed 11 of 907 Senate roll call votes, 1.2 percent, from January 2025 to September 2026.
Source: GovTrack, missed votes
Angie Nixon. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Neil J. Gillespie. No public record found.
Ashley Moody. Her office won the Congressional Management Foundation's 2026 Democracy Award for Best of Senate Constituent Service, shared with Sen. Adam Schiff.
Sources: Congressional Management Foundation, 2026 Democracy Award winners, The Fulcrum, 2026 Democracy Awards
Angie Nixon. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Neil J. Gillespie. No public record found.
Ashley Moody. No public record found.
Angie Nixon. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Neil J. Gillespie. No public record found.
Ashley Moody. The Auditor General's 2023 operational audit of her department found its prior audit findings corrected and one control finding on state grant oversight, with no penalty.
Angie Nixon. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 9, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the Florida U.S. Senate race?
Ashley Moody has the strongest record in the Florida U.S. Senate race. Ashley Moody scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Angie Nixon at 58, as of October 9, 2026. Ashley Moody's highest marks are roots in the constituency and relevant experience. Angie Nixon's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Neil J. Gillespie (4 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the Florida U.S. Senate race in 2026?
Neil J. Gillespie (No Party Affiliation), Ashley Moody (Republican, incumbent), Angie Nixon (Democratic). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Neil J. Gillespie a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Neil J. Gillespie has public evidence on 4 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Ashley Moody a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Ashley Moody scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria: character 44 of 100, qualifications 75 of 100, performance 69 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Angie Nixon a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Angie Nixon scores 58 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria: character 44 of 100, qualifications 70 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Florida race scored, the trailing candidate's path to victory, and the Florida 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.