Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has selected Attorney General Ashley Moody to replace Senator Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate. Rubio is currently undergoing confirmation to become Secretary of State in the incoming Trump administration.
Moody, a 49-year-old mother of two, has been Florida's Attorney General since 2019. Her background includes roles as an assistant U.S. attorney and a circuit court judge. Throughout her career, the Republican has taken stances against the Affordable Care Act, restoring felon voting rights, and marijuana legalization. Her husband, Justin Duralia, is the deputy chief of the Plant City Police Department.
As a senator, Moody has pledged to reduce government regulations and the federal budget. She emphasized the importance of a strong Congress and expressed her commitment to representing the American people. She cited her faith, motherhood, and financial background as motivating factors.
Initially, Lara Trump, former RNC co-chair and Donald Trump's daughter-in-law, was endorsed for the position by Trump himself, Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), and Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.). However, she withdrew her name from consideration last month.
Moody will need to campaign to retain the seat in a 2026 special election. Representative Cory Mills (R-Fla.) has already declared his intention to run.
Moody has been a key ally of Governor DeSantis, supporting his policies. Recently, she filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice, alleging federal interference in Florida's investigation of an incident at Mar-a-Lago. Last year, she sued the Biden administration over a rule concerning gender transition care. In 2024, she petitioned the Supreme Court regarding a Florida ballot measure on abortion access, arguing its wording was potentially misleading.
