DeSantis Chooses Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody as Rubio's Senate Replacement
The position will soon become available, as Rubio is on track to be appointed as Trump's secretary of State shortly after the inauguration.
TroibNews 
Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed state Attorney General Ashley Moody to serve as Florida's next senator. This move follows the anticipated resignation of Senator Marco Rubio, who is expected to take on the role of President-elect Donald Trump’s secretary of State. Moody’s selection solidifies her position as a close ally of DeSantis, marking her as the first and only state Cabinet-level official to endorse the governor during the 2024 Republican presidential primary, in opposition to Trump.
With Rubio set to resign shortly after his inauguration, the Senate seat will soon become vacant. Moody is expected to hold the position until at least a special election in 2026.
“Governor: I want you to know I will not let you down,” she stated at a news conference in Orlando. “I will not let the citizens of Florida down and I will not let my country down.”
Moody expressed her pride in calling DeSantis a friend, humorously recalling how he, having previously served in the House, questioned why anyone would want to work in Congress. “You’re probably right. I probably won’t like it,” she said, eliciting laughter from the audience. “But I’m ready to show and fight up for this nation and fight for President Trump to deliver the America First agenda on day one.”
Throughout the selection process, DeSantis emphasized the importance of choosing someone with a strong record on illegal immigration to support Trump's campaign promise of mass deportations if elected. He commended Moody’s commitment to “the values we all share,” addressing issues like illegal immigration, the opioid crisis, and human trafficking. Moody pledged to be a steadfast ally to the incoming president.
“She's also rejected DEI, ESG, gender ideology, and supported our efforts to ensure Florida's education is free from impositions of the radical left,” DeSantis remarked. “When Covid was raging, few were willing to stand up across this country. We, in Florida, established our state as a beachhead of liberty as the Free State of Florida, and she was with us every step of the way.” Moody has joined a pledge alongside other state attorneys general to support Trump’s agenda and has defended him on Fox News. Recently, she filed state charges against a person who attempted to assassinate Trump at his Palm Beach golf course last September.
Moody was reported as a leading candidate for the Senate seat, surpassing other hopefuls, including several members of Congress and Lara Trump, the former RNC co-chair and daughter-in-law of the president-elect, who ultimately withdrew her name from consideration in late December.
Having previously served as a prosecutor and circuit judge in Hillsborough County, Moody was elected state attorney general in 2018 and has been a staunch advocate for DeSantis’s agenda. She has often clashed with the Biden administration in various legal matters, including illegal immigration, Covid-19 policies, transgender rights, and student loan forgiveness.
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, a Trump appointee, was one of Moody's first backers. Moody is also a close friend of Rep. Laurel Lee, who had previously worked in DeSantis's administration. Moody will serve in the Senate for about two years until the special election, after which the winner will complete Rubio’s remaining term and participate in the regularly scheduled election in 2028. If she decides to run for a full term, being the incumbent would provide her with a significant advantage, though she may face challenges in the Republican primary.
Rep. Cory Mills, another candidate for the position who recently spoke with DeSantis, has already indicated that he plans to run in 2026 regardless of who is appointed. Moreover, Trump’s subdued response during the selection process raises speculation about his potential involvement in the upcoming races, particularly considering he deferred to DeSantis, previously a rival.
DeSantis’ choice of Moody presents him with another chance to influence his legacy in Florida. He also has the opportunity to appoint a new chief financial officer, as current CFO Jimmy Patronis is resigning to run for an open House seat. Additionally, DeSantis will be responsible for selecting Moody's successor, with James Uthmeier, his chief of staff, being a top candidate for that role.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
With Rubio set to resign shortly after his inauguration, the Senate seat will soon become vacant. Moody is expected to hold the position until at least a special election in 2026.
“Governor: I want you to know I will not let you down,” she stated at a news conference in Orlando. “I will not let the citizens of Florida down and I will not let my country down.”
Moody expressed her pride in calling DeSantis a friend, humorously recalling how he, having previously served in the House, questioned why anyone would want to work in Congress. “You’re probably right. I probably won’t like it,” she said, eliciting laughter from the audience. “But I’m ready to show and fight up for this nation and fight for President Trump to deliver the America First agenda on day one.”
Throughout the selection process, DeSantis emphasized the importance of choosing someone with a strong record on illegal immigration to support Trump's campaign promise of mass deportations if elected. He commended Moody’s commitment to “the values we all share,” addressing issues like illegal immigration, the opioid crisis, and human trafficking. Moody pledged to be a steadfast ally to the incoming president.
“She's also rejected DEI, ESG, gender ideology, and supported our efforts to ensure Florida's education is free from impositions of the radical left,” DeSantis remarked. “When Covid was raging, few were willing to stand up across this country. We, in Florida, established our state as a beachhead of liberty as the Free State of Florida, and she was with us every step of the way.” Moody has joined a pledge alongside other state attorneys general to support Trump’s agenda and has defended him on Fox News. Recently, she filed state charges against a person who attempted to assassinate Trump at his Palm Beach golf course last September.
Moody was reported as a leading candidate for the Senate seat, surpassing other hopefuls, including several members of Congress and Lara Trump, the former RNC co-chair and daughter-in-law of the president-elect, who ultimately withdrew her name from consideration in late December.
Having previously served as a prosecutor and circuit judge in Hillsborough County, Moody was elected state attorney general in 2018 and has been a staunch advocate for DeSantis’s agenda. She has often clashed with the Biden administration in various legal matters, including illegal immigration, Covid-19 policies, transgender rights, and student loan forgiveness.
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, a Trump appointee, was one of Moody's first backers. Moody is also a close friend of Rep. Laurel Lee, who had previously worked in DeSantis's administration. Moody will serve in the Senate for about two years until the special election, after which the winner will complete Rubio’s remaining term and participate in the regularly scheduled election in 2028. If she decides to run for a full term, being the incumbent would provide her with a significant advantage, though she may face challenges in the Republican primary.
Rep. Cory Mills, another candidate for the position who recently spoke with DeSantis, has already indicated that he plans to run in 2026 regardless of who is appointed. Moreover, Trump’s subdued response during the selection process raises speculation about his potential involvement in the upcoming races, particularly considering he deferred to DeSantis, previously a rival.
DeSantis’ choice of Moody presents him with another chance to influence his legacy in Florida. He also has the opportunity to appoint a new chief financial officer, as current CFO Jimmy Patronis is resigning to run for an open House seat. Additionally, DeSantis will be responsible for selecting Moody's successor, with James Uthmeier, his chief of staff, being a top candidate for that role.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
