DeSantis Appoints Ashley Moody To Florida U.S. Senate Seat

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Governor Ron DeSantis announced that he appointed Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to the Florida U.S. Senate seat vacated by Marco Rubio who resigned to become President Trump's Secretary of State.

"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," DeSantis posted on X. 

"For the last four years, Florida fought the failed Biden administration’s reckless border policies. Time after time, we sued to stop them from violating federal immigration law," Moody posted on X.

"In the U.S. Senate, I will support President @realDonaldTrump and fight for legislation that strengthens the border, builds the wall, and removes those who entered unlawfully."

Moody, 49, was born in Plant City, Florida, where she was raised as a fifth-generation Floridian. 

She pursued her education at the University of Florida, earning both bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting before obtaining her Juris Doctor from the same institution. Moody further enhanced her legal education by earning a Master of Laws in international law from Stetson University College of Law.

Her career in law began with her work at the law firm Holland & Knight, specializing in commercial litigation. She then transitioned to public service, serving as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Florida, where she prosecuted drug, firearm, and fraud offenses. 

In 2006, at the age of 31, she became the youngest judge elected in Florida when she was elected to the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court in Hillsborough County. She served on the bench until April 2017, when she resigned to run for Florida Attorney General.

Moody was elected as Florida's 38th Attorney General in 2018, defeating Democratic nominee Sean Shaw.