In a significant shift in Florida’s political landscape, Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed Attorney General Ashley Moody to fill Marco Rubio’s U.S. Senate seat, marking a historic moment as only the second woman to represent Florida in the chamber. The appointment comes after President-elect Donald Trump selected Rubio as his incoming secretary of state.
Florida’s top prosecutor heads to Washington
Moody, who has served as Florida’s Attorney General since 2018, brings a substantial legal background to her new role. Before her statewide position, she worked as a federal prosecutor and served as a circuit judge in Hillsborough County. During her tenure as Attorney General, she established herself as a strong defender of DeSantis’ conservative agenda and frequently challenged Biden administration policies.
At the announcement in Orlando, DeSantis praised Moody’s service, stating, “I’m happy to say we’ve had an Attorney General that is somebody that has acted time and time again to support the values that we all share.”
Key accomplishments and controversies
During her time as Attorney General, Moody:
– Led legal challenges against federal policies on immigration enforcement, student loan forgiveness, and vaccine mandates
– Joined efforts to contest the 2020 presidential election results through a Trump-backed lawsuit
– Opposed an abortion rights measure on Florida’s 2024 ballot
– Advocated for holding China accountable during the COVID-19 pandemic
Political implications
Moody will serve until 2026, when the seat will be up for election. Her appointment creates significant vacancies in Florida’s Cabinet, as DeSantis must now select a new Attorney General. This change coincides with another opening, as Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis departs to pursue Matt Gaetz’s congressional seat.
State Senator Joe Gruters, while initially supporting Lara Trump for the position, endorsed Moody’s appointment, describing her as “a winner here in Florida” and praising her efforts to maintain public safety.
