‘We could see Ashley Moody trying to distance herself from Trump’: Democratic underdog Josh Weil returns after stunning Republican fundraising upset

Florida Democrat Josh Weil, who made headlines by raising nearly $14 million in a special election earlier this year, has announced his bid for the U.S. Senate seat in 2026. Weil, a math and science teacher, has begun his campaign tour at a veterans center in Clay County.

According to Politico, the progressive Democrat aims to challenge Senator Ashley Moody, who was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to replace Marco Rubio after he became Secretary of State. Moody has already shown strong fundraising abilities, collecting $1.2 million through her joint fundraising committee and about $400,000 in her campaign account during 2024’s first quarter.

“By this time next year, we could see Ashley Moody trying to distance herself from Trump to save her political campaign, as Trump’s popularity continues to face challenges,” said Weil, suggesting that Trump’s popularity might decrease in Florida, pointing to recent policy decisions like tariff announcements as potential factors.

How Weil’s fundraising success might impact the 2026 race

Despite losing the special election for Mike Waltz’s House seat to Republican Randy Fine by 14 points, Weil’s ability to raise significant funds has caught national attention. His campaign received substantial support from small-dollar donors outside Florida through targeted messaging and social media advertising.

Weil believes his previous fundraising success will transfer to the Senate race, which he expects to cost around $100 million. He claims to have built the largest data bank and fundraising infrastructure in the country, which he plans to use for consistent results in the upcoming campaign.

The Democratic candidate has promised to dedicate 10 cents of every dollar raised toward voter registration efforts, addressing the current 1.3-million-person advantage Republicans hold in Florida. He has also committed to ensuring fair compensation for his campaign staff.

During his previous campaign, Weil discovered that voters were more concerned about affordability than education issues. As a supporter of Medicare for All, he advocates for eliminating private health insurance in favor of a government-funded healthcare plan. “It’s not going to come from Tallahassee,” Weil stated about needed reforms, emphasizing the importance of fighting for these issues in Washington.