Florida Democratic Primary Election Guide 2026: Part 1
- Amanda Knapp, Ph.D.
- Jun 12
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 14
Florida's Democratic Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Because Florida has a closed primary system, voters must be registered as Democrats to participate in the Democratic Primary. The deadline to register or change party affiliation is July 20, 2026. The deadline to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot is August 6, 2026, and Vote-by-Mail ballots begin mailing to domestic voters on July 13. Early Voting in Miami-Dade County will take place from August 3–16, 2026, and Election Day voting will be held on August 18, 2026, with polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Voters are encouraged to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot as a backup option, even if they plan to vote in person. Request a Vote-By-Mail ballot here.
U.S. Senate democratic primary
Special Election for Marco Rubio's Former Senate Seat
This election will determine who becomes the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by Marco Rubio. Following Rubio's departure, the seat is currently occupied by MAGA Republican Ashley Moody through gubernatorial appointment.
Angie Nixon currently serves in the Florida House of Representatives and has built her campaign around affordability, public education, healthcare access, and protecting fundamental rights. Nixon has emphasized grassroots organizing and expanding Democratic turnout across Florida.
Alex Vindman is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel known nationally for his testimony during the first impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump. His campaign focuses on defending democracy, national security, government accountability, and restoring trust in public institutions.
U.S. House District 25
Due to Florida's controversial mid-decade congressional redistricting, Miami Beach is now part of Florida's 25th Congressional District. As a result, Miami Beach voters will participate in the Democratic primary for this congressional seat for the first time under the new district boundaries.
Oliver Larkin is running on issues including affordability, healthcare, climate resilience, and government accountability. His campaign emphasizes community engagement and expanding Democratic representation throughout South Florida.
Jared Moskowitz currently represents Florida's 23rd Congressional District in Congress. Previously, he served in the Florida House of Representatives and as Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. His work has focused on disaster preparedness, public safety, and infrastructure.
Governor
Florida Democrats will select their nominee for Governor as they seek to reclaim the Governor's Mansion in 2026. The race features candidates with backgrounds in local government, public service, and political advocacy.
Dayna Foster is an activist and organizer whose campaign emphasizes grassroots engagement, healthcare access, public education, environmental protection, and increasing civic participation.
David Jolly is a former member of Congress who has become a prominent critic of the Republican Party. His campaign centers on protecting democracy, reducing political polarization, expanding economic opportunity, and building a coalition capable of winning statewide office.
Florida House District 106
House District 106 includes Miami Beach, North Bay Village, Surfside, Bay Harbor Islands, Bal Harbour, and portions of Miami-Dade County. Residents of the district face issues including affordability, property insurance costs, environmental resilience, transportation, and public education, making representation in Tallahassee particularly important to the community's future.
Lucia Baez-Geller previously served on the Miami-Dade County School Board and is a former educator. Throughout her career, she has worked to expand educational opportunities for students and advocate for families across Miami-Dade County. Her campaign focuses on public education, affordability, environmental resilience, and strengthening public services for South Florida families.
Ashley Litwin Diego is an attorney, community advocate, and Board President of Transitions Miami, a nonprofit organization that provides workforce development and reentry services to individuals seeking a second chance. Her campaign emphasizes affordable housing, environmental protection, government transparency, reproductive freedom, and strengthening local communities.
Miami-Dade County Commission District 5
While Miami-Dade County Commission races are officially nonpartisan, the decisions made by county commissioners have a significant impact on issues important to Democratic voters, including housing affordability, transportation, environmental resilience, public safety, parks, and county services. District 5 includes portions of the City of Miami and surrounding communities. Although this race is nonpartisan, the outcome will help shape the future direction of Miami-Dade County government and the policies that affect residents across the county.
Rob Piper is a longtime community activist, Democratic leader, and public servant who has spent years advocating for neighborhood improvements, civic engagement, and government accountability. He currently serves as President of the Coral Way Democratic Club and has been active in numerous community organizations throughout Miami-Dade County. His campaign emphasizes responsive government, protecting quality of life, strengthening neighborhoods, and ensuring county government works for residents.
Attorney General
While several statewide races will appear on the Democratic Primary ballot, the Attorney General contest has already been decided. Jose Javier Rodriguez (JJR) has advanced directly to the General Election and is the Democratic nominee for Florida Attorney General.
Jose Javier Rodriguez is a former Florida State Senator and attorney who has focused on consumer protection, government accountability, voting rights, and protecting Florida families. His campaign emphasizes using the Attorney General's office to defend Floridians from fraud, corruption, and abuses of power.
Disclaimer: This guide is intended as an informational resource for Democratic voters and does not constitute an endorsement of any candidate by the Miami Beach Democratic Club. The MBDC Board of Directors has chosen to feature only those candidates who have met a designated minimum fundraising threshold. As the primary election progresses and additional candidate information becomes available, an updated guide will be published.
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