Florida Attorney General race tied amid Hope Florida scandal

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is facing a competitive reelection race against Democrat Jose Javier Rodriguez. A July survey by Change Research indicates the candidates are in a dead heat, with both receiving 43 percent of the vote among likely voters.

One factor contributing to the tight race is the Hope Florida scandal. The nonprofit, founded by First Lady Casey DeSantis to assist Floridians in transitioning off government welfare, faced scrutiny regarding its finances. A Tallahassee grand jury previously investigated whether a $10 million settlement payout was misused for political purposes rather than direct aid to sick children. The grand jury proceeding concluded without criminal charges or a public report.