Why It Matters
Florida Democrats are eyeing Senate District 38 as one of the state’s most competitive seats heading into the 2026 election cycle, and the potential return of a familiar name could reshape the race. Former state Sen. Annette Taddeo is strongly considering a bid to reclaim the Miami-area seat she vacated in 2022, according to multiple sources familiar with her thinking.
The district’s competitive nature — described by political insiders as one of Florida’s most flippable — makes the recruitment of a high-profile candidate a strategic priority for Democrats hoping to chip away at the Republican supermajority in the Florida Senate.
What Happened
Multiple sources told Florida Politics that Taddeo, a business owner and former Chair of the Miami-Dade County Democratic Party, is actively exploring a return to the Florida Senate seat she held before leaving in 2022 to pursue a congressional run. The seat she once held is now Senate District 38, currently represented by Republican Alexis Calatayud.
According to one political consultant speaking on background, serious talk of a Taddeo comeback began shortly after Democrats Emily Gregory and Brian Nathan scored upset Special Election wins last month — in House District 87 and Senate District 14, respectively. Those victories sparked renewed enthusiasm among Democratic operatives about the party’s prospects heading into November.
Former state Rep. J.C. Planas, who serves as General Counsel for the Miami-Dade Democratic Party and is part of the organization’s candidate-recruitment efforts, confirmed that Taddeo is “very interested” in the race.
“We need candidates who can win, who don’t have to spend $7 out of every $10 introducing themselves to voters, who have built-in name ID,” Planas said. “She realizes the urgency in trying to end the Republican supermajority in the Senate.”
Florida Politics contacted Taddeo directly, but she had not responded by press time. In an April 1 Facebook post, Taddeo wrote about her involvement with Ruth’s List Florida — an organization focused on electing Democratic women who support abortion — stating, “We are just getting started. The shift is coming.”
By the Numbers
- 2018: Taddeo won her Senate General Election by 4 percentage points, defeating former Republican Rep. José Félix Díaz.
- 2022: Taddeo left Senate District 38 to run for Florida’s 27th Congressional District, a race she did not win.
- 2024: Taddeo ran for Miami-Dade Clerk and Comptroller, losing to Republican incumbent Juan Fernandez-Barquin.
- 2 Special Election upsets by Democrats last month — in HD 87 and SD 14 — are cited as the catalyst for renewed party interest in flippable seats.
- SD 38 currently performs slightly more Republican than Democratic, making it one of the more competitive districts in the state on paper.
Zoom Out
The potential Taddeo candidacy reflects a broader national trend of Democratic parties recruiting name-recognition candidates in competitive districts following local electoral momentum. Competitive primary dynamics are also emerging in Florida’s House races, with challengers filing against incumbents in multiple districts ahead of the 2026 cycle.
Florida Democrats have faced structural disadvantages in recent cycles, including Republican supermajorities in both chambers of the state legislature. Party leaders have increasingly focused on candidate recruitment as a key lever for breaking that grip. The outcome of recent special elections has elevated optimism, though translating those wins into a broader legislative shift will require holding and expanding competitive seats like SD 38.
Unseating incumbent Sen. Calatayud may prove challenging despite the district’s theoretical competitiveness. Calatayud has built a moderate legislative profile, voting against the state’s six-week abortion ban, championing the Live Local Act to expand affordable housing statewide, and working across party lines on issues ranging from AIDS medication funding to domestic violence protections. Her record of bipartisan accomplishments could complicate efforts to draw sharp contrasts in a general election. Democrats in Florida have also faced scrutiny over other matters, including a recent federal ethics probe involving a South Florida congressional figure.
What’s Next
Taddeo has not formally announced a candidacy, and no filing deadline has passed. Democratic operatives and sitting senators are actively encouraging her to enter the race, according to sources cited by Florida Politics. Ruth’s List Florida is also said to be supportive of a potential SD 38 bid.
If Taddeo files, she would need to navigate both a Democratic primary process and a general election against an incumbent with a notably bipartisan record. A formal announcement, if it comes, is expected in the coming weeks as the 2026 campaign season accelerates.