Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is set to take Marco Rubio’s seat in the U.S. Senate, as announced by Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday. This appointment makes Moody only the second woman to represent Florida in the Senate, following Republican Paula Hawkins, who served from 1981 to 1987. Moody, a former federal prosecutor and state circuit judge, was first elected Attorney General in 2018. Throughout her career, she has aligned herself with DeSantis, playing a significant role in defending his conservative policies in court.
As Attorney General, Moody made her mark by taking strong stances on various national issues. She was a vocal advocate for holding China accountable for the COVID-19 pandemic and has challenged federal policies, including immigration enforcement, student loan forgiveness, and vaccine mandates for federal contractors. She also played a key role in defending DeSantis’ conservative agenda, positioning Florida as a “free state” and a “beachhead of liberty.”
In her new Senate role, Moody is expected to continue championing conservative values and supporting President Donald Trump’s agenda, including border security, addressing inflation, and challenging the federal bureaucracy. She expressed a commitment to returning power to the people through a strong Congress.
Moody’s appointment follows in the footsteps of her predecessor, Pam Bondi, who also used the Attorney General role as a stepping stone to national prominence, serving as Trump’s pick to lead the Justice Department. Moody’s tenure in the Senate will be temporary, lasting until the next general election in 2026, when the seat will be up for reelection.
With Moody’s move to the Senate, Governor DeSantis now has the opportunity to appoint a new Attorney General, with his chief of staff, James Uthmeier, reportedly a top contender. Additionally, the governor will choose a replacement for Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, who is leaving to run for Congress.
