In a move that further cements the symbiosis between Florida's executive and legislative branches, Gov. Ron DeSantis, with the backing of the Sunshine State's conservative populace, announced the fill-in for outgoing Sen. Marco Rubio's soon-to-be-vacant seat. Attorney General Ashley Moody is slated to ascend to this role, contingent on Rubio's confirmation as the United States' next Secretary of State under President Trump. WESH reported that, in a statement from Orlando, DeSantis pointed out Moody's alignment with Trump's mandate and her record on issues such as immigration — factors that paved the way for her incoming role.
Moody's ascent to the United States Senate comes when she's embroiled in a high-profile state prosecution. Following a 2024 assassination attempt on then-President-elect Trump, Moody's office took charge of a state-level investigation running parallel to federal inquiries. This dives deeper than the federal case, implicating a crash that injured a 6-year-old girl, with the defendant, Ryan Routh, already indicted on federal charges, according to WESH 2. In December, Moody announced a supplementary state charge on Routh for attempted felony murder, a charge rooted in circumstances linked to Routh's apprehension.
After a 14-year tenure in the Senate, Rubio's departure was catalyzed by a smooth confirmation hearing that saw Rubio warmly received by a coalition of allies and adversaries alike. Within this hearing lies the irony — the once junior senator for Florida was now humbly soliciting the endorsement of his former peers, joking, "I hope I can earn your support, whether it's because you believe I would do a good job, or because you want to get rid of me," as conveyed by My News13.
Moody, a University of Florida graduate and former judge, has focused on major issues like the opioid crisis and human trafficking as attorney general. Her work fits with Governor DeSantis's tough stance on law and order. As she prepares to start her senatorial career following Rubio's confirmation, Moody's role will strengthen Florida's conservative policies, backed by the Trump-DeSantis approach.
