Targoz Market Research
5%4%3%2%1%0%
Republican
Ashton Hayward
Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Florida
Republican
Ashton Hayward
Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Florida
Florida Republican Senate nominee?
$116.1K
AUG 19, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds — Florida Republican Senate nominee?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
0.1%chance to win
$116.1KAUG 19, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleMayor
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age57 years old (Apr 15, 1969)
GenderMale
Show moreShow less
LocationFlorida
BackgroundReal estate developer
EducationFlorida State University (B.S.)
Notable personal detailsAshton James Hayward III is an American real estate developer and Republican politician from Pensacola, Florida. He served as the 62nd mayor of Pensacola from 2011 to 2018, the first elected under the city’s “strong mayor” system. He later became president of the Andrews Research & Education Foundation and has worked as a principal at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.organdrewsref.orgshumaker.comcityofpensacola.comlinkedin.comfec.govefoservices.fec.govpostman.comapi.open.fec.govhayward-ca.govdocquery.fec.govwebforms.fec.govcivicdocket.compropublica.github.iosunlightlabs.github.iodos.fl.govhaywardinstitute.orgpensapedia.comprojects.propublica.orgnorthescambia.comfloridapolitics.comdoczz.netwuwf.org850businessmagazine.comprnewswire.com953wdae.iheart.comyahoo.comandrewsmedicine.comachieveescambia.konacms.comfloridaphoenix.commyfloridacfo.comaol.cominstagram.comfacebook.comalchetron.comvictoryfund.orgpredictionedge.comjustfacts.votesmart.orggovinfo.govusc-cdn.house.govwikidata.orgjudiciary.senate.govcongress.govballotready.orgperiodical.house.govdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgdata.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdonate.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.org
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports lower local taxes and pro-business, pro-growth economic policies while emphasizing fiscal responsibility and limited government spending; has promoted property tax rate reductions and policies to encourage tourism, short‑term rentals, and private-sector job growth.
Climate & Energy
As mayor of Pensacola Ashton Hayward promoted local energy development that included expanding use of natural gas for municipal fleets and courting energy-sector projects at the Port of Pensacola, while supporting manufacturing tied to renewable energy (wind components) as an economic development priority. His actions emphasize energy-industry growth and market-driven transitions rather than aggressive emissions-target commitments.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 29, 2026
Ashton Hayward is in the news as part of Florida’s crowded 2026 governor’s race, with the state’s primary set for August 18 and nearly 30 qualified candidates in the field. Recent coverage around Florida politics has also focused on redistricting fights and broader midterm dynamics, which could shape the environment for candidates like him. The reporting does not give many specific new details about Hayward himself beyond his candidacy.
en.wikipedia.org+49
Articles
NYNew York Magazine6 months ago
The Supreme Court Could Still Tilt the Midterms to the GOP
Neutral
ADAnchorage Daily News2 months ago
Florida court allows use of new US House districts drawn by Republicans for midterm elections
Neutral
L5Live 5 News WCSC4 months ago
Supreme Court voids majority Black congressional district in Louisiana, boosting Republican chances
Neutral
TWThe Washington Post5 months ago
Can Florida save Trump’s plan to keep GOP in power?
Neutral
Latest Polls
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
1Florida Republican Senate nominee?
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We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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