Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis selects attorney general Ashley Moody to replace Marco Rubio in Senate

Gov. DeSantis names Ashley Moody to US Senate

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody will replace Marco Rubio in the Senate.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody will replace Marco Rubio in the Senate.

DeSantis shared the selection at a press conference Thursday morning in Orlando.

Moody will replace Marco Rubio, who is President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Secretary of State.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody speaks during a roundtable discussion at the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora in Miami's Coral Way neighborhood on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022. (Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty

Expand

Who is Ashley Moody?

The backstory:

Moody, 49, is not new to the Florida political scene. In fact, she has been a well-known face for state political observers for nearly a decade.

She is a Plant City native and first experienced a claim to fame in 1993 when she was named the Florida Strawberry Queen at 17 years old.

Moody attended the University of Florida and quickly recognized her own interest in politics.

She earned a master’s degree in international law at Stetson University College of Law and then completed her Juris Doctor at UF.

Moody did a stint at one of Florida's most prominent law firms, Holland & Knight, and then became an assistant U.S. attorney in Florida’s Middle District.

She became a Hillsborough County circuit court judge at the age of 31, earning her title as the youngest in state history.

Moody first ran for attorney general in 2018 and was selected in 2019. She then earned the votes for a second term in 2022.

‘This is a time for action’

What they're saying:

Moody has supported both DeSantis' and Trump's policies since taking office.

At the press conference, DeSantis said he wanted someone who would deliver on Trump's agenda, commit to cutting spending, understand that federal bureaucracy has "run amok" and understand "the fight against illegal immigration."

DeSantis said Moody "honorably served our people" during her time as the state's top law enforcement officer.

"These are always significant appointments, but I think right now appointments like these are more significant than ever," DeSantis said. "This is a time for action and a time for Washington, D.C., to deliver results for the American people."

Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power believes DeSantis' pick is an "excellent" one.

"Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has a proven track record on the issues that matter most to Floridians, border security being one of them," he said in a prepared statement following the announcement. "We are confident that Senator Ashley Moody will be a critical voice that will help pass President-elect Trump’s common sense legislative priorities and the Florida GOP will be there in full support."

"I’m ready to show up and fight for this nation and fight for President Trump to deliver the America First agenda on Day 1," Moody said at the press conference.

The other side:

However, not everyone is thrilled about the selection.

The Florida Democratic Party released a prepared statement quickly after the announcement, calling Moody DeSantis' "personal lapdog."

"Despite her role as an independent constitutional officer, she has insisted on calling him ‘boss’ and defended his extreme agenda at every turn," FDP Chair Nikki Fried. "Her reward is a seat in the United States Senate, paid for by her loyalty to Ron and her failure to serve Floridians. "As attorney general, Ashley ignored the growing property insurance crisis and let wealthy corporations rip off Floridians. Instead, she spent her time chasing political attention and currying favor with the far right. She worked for over a year to silence the voices of Floridians who wanted Amendment 4 on the ballot, weaponizing state law and the Florida Constitution to score the political points that got her this appointment.

"As a senator, Ashley will no doubt take her marching orders exclusively from Donald Trump with no regard for what’s best for the people of Florida — she may even just keep the seat warm until Ron runs in 2026," Fried said. "Ashley Moody failed Florida as attorney general, and she’ll fail Florida in the Senate."

What does the selection mean?

What's next:

Moody will be expected to hold her new seat until a special election in 2026.

The winner of the special election would serve the remainder of Rubio's term. However, they will have to run for election again in 2028.

DeSantis said he intends to name James Uthmeier, his chief of staff, to replace Moody as attorney general.

Uthmeier once worked in Rubio’s Senate office and later served in the U.S. Department of Commerce under Trump. He also previously ran DeSantis’ unsuccessful presidential bid as campaign manager.