Joshua Weil was an Orlando-area public school educator and Democratic candidate who announced his Senate candidacy in June 2025 but withdrew on July 31, 2025, citing health concerns. Weil, 40, taught mathematics and science in Orange and Osceola counties and rose to prominence after raising approximately $15 million in a special congressional election for Florida's 6th Congressional District in April 2025, where he lost to Republican Randy Fine by 14 percentage points. Despite the loss in a heavily Republican district, Democrats viewed his performance as stronger-than-expected. Weil withdrew from the Senate race due to recurring symptoms of Rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition affecting muscle tissue that had required hospitalization in 2021-2022.
Born in East Meadow, New York. Earned bachelor's degrees from Stony Brook University and Northwood University in 2009 and 2011, and a master's degree from the University of Central Florida in 2013, with post-graduate work in Educational Leadership from Stetson University. Worked as math and science teacher in Orange/Osceola County public schools, serving as instructional coach and dean of students. Single father of two boys. Affiliated with Islamic Center of Orlando, Florida Education Association, Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, and Progressives for Democracy in America.