Targoz Market Research
5%4%3%2%1%0%
Republican
Ashton Hayward
Republican
Ashton Hayward
Florida Republican Senate nominee?
$106.2K
AUG 19, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
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.comfacebook.comalchetron.comvictoryfund.orgssrnews.cominstagram.comjustfacts.votesmart.orggovinfo.govusc-cdn.house.govwikidata.orgjudiciary.senate.govcongress.govballotready.orgperiodical.house.govdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgdata.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdonate.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.org
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.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Ashton Hayward is being mentioned in coverage tied to Florida’s 2026 redistricting fight, where new Republican-drawn House maps were allowed to stay in place while litigation continues. The broader debate could shape the state’s congressional races and Republican chances in the midterms. Recent reporting also points to a tougher political environment for Republicans, with Democratic gains in special elections and shifting Latino support adding uncertainty.
en.wikipedia.org+49
Articles
NYNew York Magazine5 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 WCSC3 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
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Florida Republican Senate nominee?
Endorsers of Ashton Hayward for Florida Republican Senate nominee?
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising