Moody Holds 49-45 Lead Over Nixon In Florida Senate Polling

Florida's Senate seat carries a 49-45 edge for Republican Ashley Moody over Democrat Angie Nixon in a University of North Florida poll taken Oct. 21 among 1,471 likely voters, with 5% undecided. Election Day is Nov. 3.

The contest fills the balance of Marco Rubio's six-year term, which runs to 2028. Rubio won the seat in 2022, then left to become secretary of state. Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Moody, the state's attorney general, to take his place starting in January 2025.

Moody, 31 when she became the youngest judge in Florida's 13th Circuit, was elected attorney general in 2019 and held the post until her appointment. A Plant City native, she graduated from the University of Florida and earned her law degree at Stetson University. She worked at a law firm and later at the U.S. Attorney's Office for several years.

Her campaign centers on backing President Donald Trump, border security, law enforcement and public safety, and she endorsed Amendment 3 at a St. Petersburg college event this week. Her backing includes Trump, DeSantis, Sen. Rick Scott, gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds and Rep. Kat Cammack of the 3rd District.

Nixon, a Jacksonville native and University of Florida graduate, worked as a union organizer before entering politics. She was elected to represent District 14 in 2020 and moved to District 13 after redistricting in 2022, the year she tried to organize a sit-in protest in the House chamber over the process. She organized another sit-in at DeSantis' office this year and was arrested.

Nixon's platform covers the cost of living, higher wages, expanded Medicare, affordable housing and free child care. She describes herself as a fighter for working families and backs raising taxes on billionaires. She opposes Amendment 3.

Former President Barack Obama, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have endorsed her. Sanders joined her at a University of Florida event during the final month of the campaign.

Other polls conducted through Oct. 28, including ActiVote, St. Pete Polls and The New York Times, also showed Moody ahead. The UNF survey found independent voters favor Nixon by 15 points. The lab's director called the race close and said turnout next week will decide it.

Early voting runs through Sunday, Nov. 1. Polling place details are posted on the Alachua County supervisor of elections website.