Florida's Deep-Red District Faces Unexpectedly Tight Special Election

Democrat Josh Weil's fundraising dominance and strong early turnout challenge GOP confidence in a district Trump won by 30 points.

Josh Weil, the Democratic candidate, has raised nearly $10 million, vastly outpacing Republican Randy Fine's approximately $1 million in campaign funds.
Republican leaders, including Governor Ron DeSantis, acknowledge Fine is underperforming and expect the race to be much closer than past Republican victories in the district.
Early voting data indicates strong Democratic turnout, suggesting potential shifts in voter engagement within this traditionally Republican stronghold.
The race is being closely watched as a measure of voter sentiment toward Trump-endorsed candidates and GOP policies ahead of the 2026 midterms.
National attention has grown, with outside groups, including Elon Musk's super PAC, making late contributions to support Fine's campaign.