Uthmeier Wins Florida Attorney General Race
James Uthmeier has won a full term as Florida’s attorney general, defeating Jose Javier Rodriguez by two percentage points in the November 3 election. The Republican was first appointed to the post in 2025 by Gov. Ron DeSantis, after Ashley Moody left for a U.S. Senate seat.
Uthmeier had earlier been DeSantis’ top aide and legal adviser. During his time as attorney general, he took prominent roles in immigration-related legal and policy efforts, including the creation of the Everglades detention facility known as Alligator Alcatraz. His actions also included more enforcement related to immigration and child safety.
Rodriguez, a Miami attorney and former state legislator, held a labor-policy role in the Biden administration, working as an assistant secretary within the federal Labor Department. He campaigned on tackling crime, reducing household costs and addressing corruption in state government. He also highlighted rising utility and insurance expenses and called for scrutiny of companies he said contributed to those costs.
Uthmeier’s campaign emphasized public safety and his record as the state’s top legal officer. At a news conference, he said Florida had historically low crime and cited increases in prosecution caseloads and conviction rates. He did not sit for an interview with Local 10 News during the campaign coverage.
Uthmeier Wins Full Term After Immigration Enforcement Tenure
James Uthmeier’s victory gives a full term to a Republican attorney general whose tenure featured aggressive immigration action and a central role in advancing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ agenda. He defeated Democrat Jose Javier Rodriguez, 51% to 49%, in the November 3 election.
Uthmeier was appointed in 2025 after Ashley Moody left the job for a U.S. Senate seat. Before taking office, he was DeSantis’ top aide and legal adviser. As attorney general, he played a leading part in efforts tied to the Everglades immigration detention facility known as Alligator Alcatraz, as well as increased immigration enforcement.
Rodriguez offered voters a different emphasis, campaigning on crime, rising costs and corruption in state government. The Miami attorney, a former Florida legislator and Biden administration labor official, said utility and insurance prices were pressing concerns and called for investigating companies involved.
Uthmeier stressed public safety and cited Florida crime rates, prosecution caseloads and conviction rates. His win leaves him with a full term to pursue the enforcement-focused approach he championed, while Rodriguez’s calls for greater scrutiny of powerful interests failed to carry the race.
Voters Give Uthmeier a Full Term as Florida Attorney General
Florida voters gave James Uthmeier a full term as attorney general, rejecting Jose Javier Rodriguez’s campaign to make costs and corruption central to the race. The Republican won 51% to 49% on November 3, after first entering the office through Gov. Ron DeSantis’ 2025 appointment.
Uthmeier’s record includes a leading role in immigration efforts and the establishment of the Everglades facility known as Alligator Alcatraz. He also oversaw increased enforcement related to immigration and child safety. Before becoming attorney general, he was DeSantis’ chief of staff and general counsel.
The incumbent made public safety a central campaign message. At a news conference, he pointed to Florida’s crime rates and said prosecution caseloads and conviction rates had risen. His campaign presented him as focused on keeping the state safe and strong.
Rodriguez, a former state legislator and Biden administration labor official, argued that Florida needed to address crime while confronting high utility and insurance costs and corruption. His defeat leaves Uthmeier with a full term to continue the enforcement agenda voters chose over Rodriguez’s proposals for investigating companies and challenging powerful interests.
Reported by Local 10 Miami, CBS Miami, WSVN 7News.
