Josh Weil, a teacher who planned to challenge Ashley Moody for Florida’s U.S. Senate seat in 2026, is dropping out of the race.
The Orlando resident is too sick to run, he says.Weil suffers from Rhabdomyolysis, a condition that causes his muscles to break down, he wrote in a news release Thursday. He’d been hospitalized for it in the past, and the early travel of his campaigning had caused the symptoms to flare back up, he said.
“Florida deserves a U.S. Senator who can fight for them 100% of the time,” Weil wrote in a news release circulated Thursday. “I do not wish to hold that seat if I cannot give them that 100% that they deserve.”
Earlier this year, Weil challenged Randy Fine in a special election for the U.S. House seat representing Florida’s 6th Congressional District. His team proved adept at fundraising, hauling in some $15 million for the race. Although he vastly outraised Fine, Weil lost by double digits, but outperformed expectations in a heavily Republican district.
Democrats have yet to find a well funded challenger for Moody. Air Force veteran Tamika Lyles has raised just about $6,300 so far. Another challenger, Alex Gould, hasn’t filed any donations, federal records show.
Moody, who last week earned the endorsement of President Donald Trump, is sitting on some $2.2 million cash on hand.
