Uthmeier and Rodriguez battle for Florida attorney general seat Nov. 3

Florida voters face a decisive choice this week for the state’s top legal position, as James Uthmeier and Jose Javier Rodriguez compete in the Nov. 3 general election. The winner will serve a four-year term leading the office responsible for law enforcement, consumer protection, and state law enforcement.

James Uthmeier, a Republican incumbent, was appointed to the role by Gov. Ron DeSantis in February 2025. He took over the position after Ashley Moody moved to the U.S. Senate. Before becoming attorney general, Uthmeier served as DeSantis’s chief of staff and general counsel. His campaign emphasizes his record in office, citing investigations into child predators, human trafficking, and criminal organizations.

Uthmeier has stated that protecting children from online exploitation is a major priority for his full term. He has pursued legal action against technology companies, including those in artificial intelligence, over alleged risks to children and consumers. His administration has supported law enforcement and immigration enforcement while litigating to enforce state laws.

Democratic challenger Jose Javier Rodriguez is an attorney who previously served in the Florida House and Senate. He also worked as U.S. assistant secretary of labor during the Biden administration. Rodriguez’s campaign organizes its priorities around three themes: crime, costs, and corruption. He argues that the attorney general should act as an independent advocate for Floridians rather than serving the interests of political leaders.

Rodriguez has pledged to pursue criminal organizations and combat child exploitation and drug trafficking. He says he would protect older Floridians from abuse and fraud while supporting law enforcement and prosecutors. On the consumer side, his agenda includes investigating insurance practices, utility rates, wage theft, and housing costs. He has also called for stronger enforcement against contractor fraud and deed theft affecting homeowners.

The two candidates offer different descriptions of the office’s role. Uthmeier points to his time leading the office and emphasizes law enforcement and online safety. Rodriguez criticizes Uthmeier’s close ties to the DeSantis administration, arguing the office should focus more heavily on affordability and accountability. Both agree that protecting children and addressing crime are top priorities, but their approaches to government oversight and economic issues differ.

Voters in Clearwater and across the state will cast ballots on Nov. 3 to determine who leads the attorney general’s office for the next four years. The election determines the direction of the state’s legal and enforcement strategies for the coming term.