Reaction Pours In After Gov. Ron DeSantis Selects Ashley Moody to Fill Rubio’s Senate Seat

By  //  January 16, 2025

President-Elect Trump chose Marco Rubio to be his new Secretary of State

ABOVE VIDEO: Gov. Ron DeSantis Selects Ashley Moody to Fill Rubio’s Senate Seat

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s appointment of Attorney General Ashley Moody to the U.S. Senate, replacing Marco Rubio, has elicited a range of reactions from political figures and analysts.

Governor Ron DeSantis

“Florida deserves a senator who stands unapologetically for conservative principles, supports law enforcement, has a strong record of combatting illegal immigration, and is ready to deliver on President Trump’s agenda. Attorney General Ashley Moody’s exemplary track record shows her commitment to these principles. A fifth-generation Floridian, she has served the people of Florida honorably as a prosecutor, judge, and Attorney General. I look forward to seeing Senator Moody fight the good fight against the entrenched interests in Washington, and I know she will be a critical part of bringing President Trump’s America First agenda to fruition.”

Ashley Moody

Thank you Gov. Ron DeSantis for appointing me to serve as Florida’s next U.S. Senator. On DAY ONE, I stand ready to fight for Florida, support the President’s agenda, and vote for President-Elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet appointees – many of whom are outstanding Florida leaders.

Senator Rick Scott

Senator Rick Scott welcomed Moody’s appointment, stating, “Ashley has done an incredible job fighting for Floridians and keeping our communities safe as Attorney General. I have no doubt she will do an incredible job as senator!”

Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez

“Congratulations to Attorney General Ashley Moody on her appointment as Florida’s next U.S. Senator. Floridians will be well represented in the U.S. Senate with Ashley Moody.

Gov. DeSantis made the announcement during a press conference Thursday morning in Orlando.”

Congressman Byron Donalds

“I applaud Governor DeSantis on his selection of Attorney General Ashley Moody as our state’s next U.S. Senator and look forward to working with her in the halls of Congress as we fight to Make America Great Again.”

 Florida Democratic Party

“Ashley Moody has been Ron’s personal lapdog from day one,” said FDP Chair Nikki Fried. “Despite her role as an independent constitutional officer, she has insisted on calling him ‘boss’ and defended his extreme agenda at every turn. 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. Ashley Moody failed Florida as Attorney General, and she’ll fail Florida in the Senate.”


Moody will take over for Rubio, who has been chosen by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as Secretary of State. A seasoned figure in Florida politics, Moody, 49, has been a familiar name to state political observers for nearly a decade.

A native of Plant City, Moody first gained public attention in 1993 when she was crowned the Florida Strawberry Queen at just 17 years old.

She pursued her education at the University of Florida, where she discovered her passion for politics. Moody went on to earn a master’s degree in international law from Stetson University College of Law and completed her Juris Doctor at UF.

Moody’s legal career began at the prominent Florida law firm Holland & Knight before she became an assistant U.S. attorney in Florida’s Middle District. At the age of 31, she made history as the youngest circuit court judge in Hillsborough County.

Her political journey started in 2018 when she ran for and won the office of Florida Attorney General. After taking office in 2019, Moody secured re-election for a second term in 2022.