Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday appointed state Attorney General Ashley Moody to fill the U.S. Senate seat of Marco Rubio, who has been tapped by President-elect Trump to become secretary of state.
In selecting Moody, who has been attorney general since 2019, DeSantis said he wanted to nominate someone who understands that “the federal bureaucracy has run amok,” who will be willing to shut down the Southern border, cut excessive spending and stop inflation in its tracks.
“In appointing a U.S. senator, I initially put out several different criteria,” the governor said. “One, I want somebody who is going to work with President Trump and deliver on the mandate he earned from the American people. … The final criteria was: I wanted somebody with a demonstrated record of delivering results on those important issues.”
During his years as governor, the Florida Democratic Party has become a trainwreck as Florida became a firmly red state, DeSantis said, and in turn, Moody has been at his side to fight the political left and the woke agenda.
“Florida needs a fighter in Washington to help President Trump fulfill his mandate to secure our border, deport illegal aliens and restore our nation’s sovereignty,” the governor said on X, formerly Twitter.
In response, the state Democratic Party issued a statement calling Moody “Ron’s personal lapdog from day one” and someone who failed to serve the interests of Floridians.
“As attorney general, Ashley ignored the growing property insurance crisis and let wealthy corporations rip off Floridians,” the party’s statement said. “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 (expanding abortion rights) on the ballot, weaponizing state law and the Florida Constitution to score the political points that got her this appointment.”
The Florida Republican Party’s chairman, Evan Power, however, said Moody was an excellent pick.
“As attorney general, Ashley Moody continuously challenged the abuses of the Biden administration and won in court against race-based affirmative action, illegal COVID policies, border and illegal-alien policies, federal government overreach, antisemitism, election integrity,” the state GOP said in its statement. “She is an extraordinary supporter of the rule of law and law enforcement.”
Law professor Bob Jarvis of Nova Southeastern University, however, said he wouldn't be surprised if Moody had agreed to be in the position as a caretaker for two years. In 2026, she might step down to run for governor, allowing DeSantis himself to run for the Senate, Jarvis said.
"I do not expect Moody to be a force in the Senate during the next two years," he told the Florida Record in an email. "The Senate is a very hide-bound institution that values seniority above all else, so it’s tough for any junior senator to make waves. Moreover, Rick Scott will be sure to block Moody if he feels she is starting to get too much press."
On Thursday, Florida’s other Republican senator lauded Moody’s appointment in a statement provided to the Record.
“I welcome Attorney General Ashley Moody to the United States Senate!” Scott said. “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!”
In her biography, Moody describes herself as a fifth-generation Floridian who was born in Plant City and attended the University of Florida, where she earned bachelor's and master’s degrees in accounting and law. Moody also holds a master’s degree in international law.
She has worked in private practice as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office as a prosecutor of drug, firearms and fraud cases. She has also served as an elected circuit court judge and an adjunct professor at Stetson University College of Law.
Moody’s replacement at the state Attorney’s Office will be James Uthmeier, who has served as general counsel to the governor’s legal office and DeSantis’ chief of staff. Uthmeier previously worked in the first Trump administration as senior advisor and counsel to the secretary of commerce.