James Uthmeier, the Republican incumbent, is seeking election as Florida attorney general in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He faces Democrat José Javier Rodriguez.

Uthmeier has served as attorney general since 2025, according to his official state biography. He previously held several roles in the Florida Governor's Office and managed Gov. Ron DeSantis' 2024 presidential campaign.

Candidate information

  • Party: Republican
  • Office sought: Florida Attorney General
  • Hometown: Destin, Florida
  • Education: Bachelor's degree, University of Florida; juris doctor, Georgetown University Law Center
  • Family: Married to Jean; three children. The family are active parishioners at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Tallahassee, where Uthmeier co-teaches religious education.

Experience and public service

Uthmeier's career spans private practice, federal government and Florida state government.

He worked as a litigation associate at Jones Day. He then served as senior counsel and senior advisor at the U.S. Department of Commerce from 2017 to 2019, according to his Club for Growth profile.

Uthmeier joined the Florida Governor's Office in 2019 as deputy general counsel. He rose to general counsel in 2020 and then chief of staff, a role he held from 2021 to 2025, according to BallotReady election data. He managed DeSantis' 2024 presidential campaign.

He has also taught as an adjunct professor at both the Florida State University College of Law and the University of Florida Levin College of Law, according to his Federalist Society profile and state biography. At the University of Florida, Uthmeier competed on the varsity track and cross-country teams for the national champion Gators.

On the issues

Judicial philosophy and governance: Uthmeier says he champions the rule of law, originalism and free markets, according to his Club for Growth candidate profile.

Endorsements

Uthmeier has received endorsements from the following, according to their published statements:

  • Donald Trump, president of the United States. Trump said Uthmeier "is a Strong Conservative Fighter and Prosecutor, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement," as reported by the Florida Phoenix.
  • David McIntosh, Club for Growth PAC. McIntosh called Uthmeier "a proven leader with a lengthy track record of protecting the rule of law and championing limited government policies."