Key Takeaways:

• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed Ashley Moody, the state Attorney General, to replace Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate.
• Moody, who has served as Attorney General since 2018, becomes only the second woman to hold a Senate seat from Florida.
• Her appointment emphasizes a strong alignment with Republican priorities, particularly on immigration and government accountability.
• Moody's tenure will last until a new election in 2026, where she can opt to run for a full six-year term.
• Her background includes roles as a federal prosecutor and circuit judge, offering her a diverse legal pedigree.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has been appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to fill the Senate seat vacated by Marco Rubio, who is set to become President-elect Donald Trump’s Secretary of State. This appointment marks a significant moment in Florida politics, as Moody is only the second woman ever to serve in the U.S. Senate from Florida, following Paula Hawkins, who held the position from 1981 to 1987.

Moody, who was first elected as Florida’s top law enforcement officer in 2018, has established herself as a prominent figure in state Republican politics, aligning closely with DeSantis' conservative agenda. During her tenure, she has mounted legal challenges to various policies from the Biden administration, particularly regarding immigration enforcement, student loan forgiveness, and vaccine mandates for federal contractors, emphasizing her role as a staunch defender of Republican priorities ([CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ashley-moody-desantis-rubio-senate-replacement/)).

In a press conference announcing her appointment, DeSantis praised Moody for her commitment to "fight for President Trump to deliver the America First agenda on day one." Moody echoed this sentiment, stating, "I’m ready to show up and fight for this nation and fight for President Trump to deliver the 'America First' agenda," indicating her commitment to conservative values in the U.S. Senate ([The Hill](https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5088882-ron-desantis-ashley-moody-senate-marco-rubio/)).

Moody's professional history includes serving as both a federal prosecutor and a circuit court judge, and she has continually emphasized her law and order platform. Notably, she has previously criticized Trump's administration yet defended his policies during her term as Attorney General, indicating a complex, evolving relationship with the former president. While she supported Trump's efforts to contest the 2020 election results, she initially raised concerns about him in a 2009 lawsuit ([USA Today](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/01/16/desantis-rubio-senate-seat-pick/77744362007/)).

With her ascension to the Senate, a vacancy arises in the Florida Cabinet, allowing DeSantis to further shape the state's political landscape. Moody’s appointment brings to the forefront discussions around key Republican issues as she prepares to represent Florida in this pivotal role until the next general election in 2026 ([The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/16/ashley-moody-ron-desantis-florida-ag)).

Moody's selection has sparked various reactions within Florida's political circles, with some emphasizing her popularity as a top contender. Republican state Sen. Joe Gruters remarked on her effectiveness and the esteem in which she is held among Floridians ([Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2025-01-16/florida-attorney-general-ashley-moody-is-chosen-to-fill-marco-rubios-open-senate-seat)).

For continuous updates on this developing story, visit the original articles from AP News, The Hill, and ABC News.