Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, October 9, 2026 — The proposed merger between NextEra Energy, parent company of Florida Power & Light, and Dominion Energy is facing scrutiny in Virginia, with regulators examining the potential impact of a 2020 Florida political scandal. The scandal, which involved the use of “ghost candidates,” has emerged as a point of consideration in the ongoing review of the significant utility merger.

Virginia state regulators are reportedly looking into NextEra’s alleged connections to the “ghost candidate” scheme that took place in Florida in 2020. This inquiry is occurring as part of the broader regulatory process to approve or deny the proposed merger between NextEra and Dominion Energy. The details of NextEra’s alleged involvement in the scheme have not been extensively detailed in public records related to the merger review.

The “ghost candidate” phenomenon typically refers to individuals who are put on a ballot without any intention of campaigning or winning, often to serve as spoilers in elections or to manipulate vote counts. The specific nature of the alleged involvement by NextEra in the 2020 Florida scandal is a key element being investigated by Virginia authorities. The timeline for the completion of the Virginia regulators’ review and the potential implications of this scandal on the merger’s approval remain subject to the ongoing regulatory proceedings.

NextEra Energy, a major energy company, operates Florida Power & Light, one of the largest electric utilities in the United States. Dominion Energy is also a significant player in the energy sector across multiple states. The potential consolidation of these two entities represents a substantial development within the energy industry, making regulatory oversight a critical component of the process. The inclusion of the Florida scandal in the review highlights the comprehensive approach regulators are taking to assess all potential risks and ramifications associated with the proposed merger.

Further information regarding the specific findings of the Virginia regulators’ examination into NextEra’s alleged role in the 2020 Florida scandal, and how it may influence the merger’s outcome, is expected as the review process continues. The exact amount of any fines or penalties related to the scandal, or the specific individuals involved from NextEra, were not immediately available.


Story summarized from the original created by By Claire Heddles, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau,By Emily L. Mahoney, Times staff on www.tampabay.com, see more information here.

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