Democrat Josh Weil Withdraws Florida Senate Race Over Health

Democrat Josh Weil has withdrawn from the 2026 Florida U.S. Senate special election, citing health concerns related to Rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition that caused him multiple hospitalizations in 2021 and 2022. Weil noticed a resurgence of symptoms while campaigning across the state and decided to prioritize his health after consulting with his family. His departure leaves the Democratic field with lesser-known candidates Alex Gould and Tamika Lyles, as Democrats face a challenging uphill battle in a state that has trended strongly Republican in recent years. Weil had gained national attention for raising about $15 million during a special congressional election earlier this year despite losing by 14 points in a heavily Republican district. Republican Sen. Ashley Moody, appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis and endorsed by President Trump, is favored to win the general election and is likely to easily secure the Republican primary. Weil expressed hope that another progressive Democrat will enter the race and continue to energize working-class voters to participate in the political process.