Who is Ashley Moody, The MAGA Attorney General Who Will Replace Marco Rubio as Florida Senator

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed state Attorney General Ashley Moody to the U.S. Senate on Thursday, setting her up to fill the seat of Sen. Marco Rubio, whom President-elect Donald Trump tapped to be secretary of state.

Moody, a fifth-generation Floridian and former federal prosecutor, is no stranger to the DeSantis administration. She has built her career as being instrumental in defending the MAGA agenda he and Trump champion in the state and challenging several Biden administration's policies.

"I want somebody that's going to work with President Trump on the mandate he has earned from the American people. Somebody who is going to lean in against excessive spending and stop inflation, somebody that understands that the federal bureaucracy has ran amok, it must be held to account. Somebody who understand the fight against illegal immigration, is willing to shut the border and, importantly, make sure that any legal immigration is putting Americans first," DeSantis said when announcing his decision in a press conference in Orlando.

Moody, on her end, promised DeSantis to not let him down. "I will not let the citizens of Florida down and I will not let my country down," she added. She went on to say she is "ready to show and fight up for this nation and fight for President Trump to deliver the America First agenda on day one."

Moody holds multiple degrees from the University of Florida and a Master of Law in International Law from Stetson University. After beginning her legal career in commercial litigation, she transitioned to public service as a federal prosecutor, where she focused on drug, firearm, and fraud cases.

In 2006, she became the youngest judge in Florida at 31, serving as a Circuit Court Judge in Hillsborough County. Elected as Florida's Attorney General in 2019, Moody left her mark by championing lawsuits to invalidate the Affordable Care Act, advocated against restoration of voting rights for former felons, and opposed the legalization of recreational marijuana.

One of Moody's most prominent recent legal battles involved Amendment 4, a proposed measure to overturn Florida's six-week abortion ban and extend the legality of abortions up to 24 weeks. Moody filed a legal defense of the state's actions, arguing that efforts to counter the amendment through public campaigns were lawful and did not constitute election interference.

Her office coordinated with state agencies to oppose the measure, emphasizing potential risks to women's health and government costs. The amendment ultimately failed to reach the 60% threshold for voter approval, preserving the state's abortion restrictions.

In another high-profile case, Moody filed a lawsuit against current and former FEMA officials following allegations that storm victims in Florida who displayed Trump signs were deliberately denied federal aid. The lawsuit accused FEMA officials of political discrimination, citing whistleblower reports and internal communications.

Moody described the alleged actions as violations of civil rights, asserting that disaster relief must be nonpartisan. While FEMA acknowledged firing one employee involved, Moody's legal action seeks broader accountability and punitive damages.

Moody is set to hold the post until 2026, the end of Rubio's term. Moody is both a staunch Trump and DeSantis supporter, pushing their agenda through legislative means. She has held a high public profile, repeatedly appearing on interviews with national outlets, especially conservative-leaning ones.

Her appointment clears the way for DeSantis to appoint his chief of staff, James Uthmeier, as the next Florida Attorney General. It also sets up political clashes for 2026 as both the governor's office and a U.S. Senate seat will be up for grabs. Rep. Cory Mills has already announced he will run to be the next senator, while former Rep. Matt Gaetz said he's considering running for governor. Rep. Byron Donalds is also filling out a political team to run for the office next year.