August 18 Primary Election Guide

August 18 is fast approaching, and while it’s officially primary season in Miami-Dade, the ballot for Miami Springs residents has a few quirks this year. If you’re wondering what you’ll actually be voting on (and what you won’t), here is your complete rundown.

The Ground Rules: Florida is a Closed Primary

Because this is a primary election, your party registration determines what you see on your ballot.

• Registered Democrats and Republicans will receive ballots featuring their respective party’s candidates for state and federal offices.

• Independents (No Party Affiliation) will only see nonpartisan races (like judges, school board members, and county commissioners) or universal primary contests.

What Miami Springs Residents Will Actually Vote On

The August 18 ballot is packed with heavy hitters. Here are the key choices you’ll be making:

U.S. Senate

Republicans will choose one of the following 4 candidates to represent them in November:

• Chris Gleason

• Ashley Moody

• Neelam Taneja Perry

• Ernest “Ernie” Rivera

Democrats will choose one of the following 2 candidates to represent them in November:

• Angie Nixon
• Alex Vindman

U.S. Representative in Congress (District 26)

Following the recent redistricting changes, Miami Springs remains solidly in Congressional District 26.

• Republicans: Incumbent Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart is running for re-election. He currently faces no primary challengers, so this race won’t be contested on the GOP primary ballot.

• Democrats: Registered Democrats were going to choose between Nicole Locklin and Gil Yurina in the primary. However, according to Ballotpedia, Gil Yurina has withdrawn from the race.  That means Nicole Locklin will face Díaz-Balart in November.

Statewide and Judicial Races

2026 is a midterm year, meaning the top of the ticket features major statewide races. Depending on your registered party.

Florida Governor and Lieutenant Governor

Republicans will choose one of the following 11 candidates to represent them in November:

• Jay Collins

• Byron Donalds

• James Fishback
• Jim Holcomb
• Arthur Joseph McCaffrey
• Daniel Nokovich
• Paul Renner
• Rachel Rodriguez
• James W. Shaw
• Caneste Succe
• Bobby Williams

Democrats will choose one of the following 6 candidates to represent them in November:

• Evelyn Castillo-Bach
• Thomas Eloy Fernandez
• Dayna Marie Foster
• David Jolly / Gwen Graham
• Dotie Joseph
• Stephann Norman

Chief Financial Officer

Republicans will choose one of the following 2 candidates to represent them in November:

• Frank William Collige

• Blaise Ingoglia

Democrats will choose one of the following 2 candidates to represent them in November:

• Earle Ford

• Annette Taddeo

Commissioner of Agriculture

Republicans will choose one of the following 2 candidates to represent them in November:

• Wilton Simpson

• Matt Taylor

Democrats will choose one of the following 2 candidates to represent them in November:

• Joey Mendoza Atkins

• Donald A. “Don” Prichard

State Representative District 112

Republican Alex Rizo, the current incumbent for District 112, has no opposition within the Republican primary and no Democrat qualified to oppose him in November.

Alex Rizo Unopposed for November Election

Miami-Dade County Commissioner District 6

Natalie Milian Orbis was appointed to District 6 by the Miami-Dade County Commission.  Nobody qualified to run against her in August after she raised over a million in campaign funds.  As a result, she will serve a second term without every getting a single vote from the electorate.