Note: These candidates did not respond to the News Collaborative of Central Florida questionnaire. Using the candidate’s website and social posts, we have tried to provide answers to our questions.
Jose Javier Rodriguez, Democrat
Age: 48
Education: Bachelors, International relations and affairs, Brown University; J.D., Harvard Law School (Source: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodriguezjosejavier/)
Occupation: Attorney; Former Florida State Senator (2016-2020); Former Florida State Representative (2012-2016) (Source: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodriguezjosejavier/)
Hometown: Miami
Campaign website: jjr.vote
Why are you best suited to be the state’s “Top cop”?
When it comes to allotting resources, in a press release from July 24 posted on his campaign website, Rodriguez called upon Florida to provide more state funding for protecting witnesses in serious criminal cases. Rodriguez has also questioned the cost of Alligator Alcatraz and the Hope Florida scandal .
Rodriguez also speaks a lot about enforcing state law and not bending to political pressure. On his website under priorities, he states that along with many other things, he would investigate the misuse of money for public education by the state and private companies, fight the sell or swap of conservation land, and root out corruption in Tallahassee.
What is your stance on Hope Florida?
While the candidate did not respond to this questionnaire, he has spoken about the Hope Florida controversy and what he believes to be criminal activity on the part of the current Attorney General James Uthmeier. Rodriguez, after the grand jury report was leaked, sent a letter to the DeSantis administration requesting that all documents from the Hope Florida controversy be saved and not deleted, leaving the door open for a possible lawsuit if he is elected. On a show called This Week South Florida, Rodriguez said that if elected, he would work to get the $10 million in Medicaid funding back for Floridians and families in need.
What is your stance on voting rights?
As a state senator in 2016, Rodriguez was a key figure in pushing to eliminate any financial barriers felons might face in getting their voting rights back after serving their prison sentence. According to a Florida Politics story, he also authored several amendments which would have given felons even more rights once they could again vote.
On his campaign website, Rodriguez also speaks out against the mid-decade redistricting led this year by Florida Republicans, calling it blatant gerrymandering. Rodriguez, in a press release, said that under rigged maps, Floridians will be placed in districts where the outcomes are predetermined. He says that if elected, he would uphold the constitution and the Fair Districts Amendment.
What is your approach to handling court challenges?
Rodriguez has billed himself as someone who will stand up for ordinary Floridians and not protect special interests. The candidate did not fill out the questionnaire so we cannot answer the question of how he would defend laws he does not agree with based on merit or constitutionality.
What is your stance on suspending state attorneys?
The candidate did not respond to this questionnaire and we could not find any publicly available statements he’s made on this issue.
What is your stance on home rule?
In a story published by WUSF, Rodriguez released a statement saying that the current attorney general should defend local control and home rule. The statement was in response to Attorney General James Uthmeier calling for a teacher to be fired over an alleged email sent to a student warning that misogyny would not be allowed in class.
In another interview with WCJB TV 20, Rodriguez said he expects to earn the nickname “Home Rule Jose” because if local jurisdictions are operating within the law, they should be allowed to do what they believe is best for their constituents.
James Uthmeier, Republican (incumbent)
Age: 38
Education: University of Florida; Georgetown Law (Source: https://www.myfloridalegal.com/ag-bio)
Occupation: Florida attorney general
Hometown: Tallahassee
Campaign website: jamesforfl.com
Why are you best suited to be the state’s “Top cop”?
In an interview with the News Service of Florida, Uthmeier stated that his top priority is going after child predators and that will remain if elected attorney general. In that same interview, Uthmeier spoke about its China office focusing on data protection.
What is your stance on Hope Florida?
The candidate did not respond to this questionnaire though he has addressed HOPE Florida. At a press conference in Tampa back in April, Uthmeier said there was no criminal activity.
What is your stance on voting rights?
Uthmeier has said election integrity in Florida is a priority. In a story published by WFLA Radio in late September, Uthmeier is quoted as saying, "Don't let anybody tell you out there that election fraud does not happen. It does. Here in Florida it happens much less so than in other states. But here, we enforce the law."
What is your approach to handling court challenges?
Uthmeier did not respond to this questionnaire, however, there have been instances where the current attorney general has not defended state law.
In March of 2025, Uthmeier said his office would not defend a Florida law prohibiting anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing a long gun. He also urged the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down the law. While the Supreme Court passed on taking up a challenge, the U.S. Department of Justice in September concluded that the federal ban is unconstitutional and cannot be criminally enforced. Florida's law remains in place.
This past June, the 4th District Court of Appeal ruled against Florida's longstanding law prohibiting 18-20 year-olds from carrying concealed weapons. Uthmeier had declined to defend the law before the ruling.
Uthmeier has stated that banning non violent felons from possessing a firearm unconstitutional, despite it being law.
During an appearance in Tampa, Uthmeier is quoted by the Florida Phoenix as saying the following: “Where I make these decisions not to enforce certain Florida laws, that is based on the oath I take,” Uthmeier told a crowd of more that 100 people who gathered at the Cuban Club in Tampa’s Ybor City for the Tampa Tiger Bay Club‚” monthly meeting. “My first oath to the people of Florida when I put up my hand is to uphold and defend our Constitution.”
What is your stance on suspending state attorneys?
In 2024, voters again elected 9th District State Attorney Monique Worrell to the seat and she has since accused both DeSantis and Uthmeier of once again targeting her for suspension. It is unclear what role Uthmeier had in the suspension of her and another state attorney but he did hold key positions reporting to DeSantis when the suspensions occurred.
What is your stance on home rule?
The candidate did not respond to this questionnaire and we were unable to find any publicly available statements on this issue.
