Who is Ashley Moody? Meet the Senate’s newest member from Florida

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody Appointed to Fill Marco Rubio’s Senate Seat

Gov. Ron DeSantis is sending Florida attorney general Ashley Moody from Tallahassee to Washington, D.C. to fill Marco Rubio’s seat in the U.S. Senate. Rubio is in the midst of the confirmation process to serve as President-elect Donald Trump’s secretary of state.

Ashley Moody, a 49-year-old mother of two, has been serving as the state’s top prosecutor since 2019. Prior to becoming the attorney general, she worked as an assistant U.S. attorney and a circuit court judge. Known for her conservative stance, Moody has supported lawsuits to invalidate the Affordable Care Act, opposed restoring voting rights for felons, and pushed against marijuana legalization.

Moody’s husband, Justin Duralia, serves as the deputy chief of the Plant City Police Department in Hillsborough County. As a senator, Moody has pledged to work towards undoing government regulations and reducing the federal budget.

Describing her commitment to the American people, Moody stated, “I’ve got the backs of the American people. I am driven by my faith in God, being a mother, and my background as a trained accountant to shrink the bloat of the federal government.”

Initially, Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of former President Trump, was endorsed by Trump and Senators Katie Britt and Rick Scott for Rubio’s Senate seat. However, Lara Trump recently withdrew her name from consideration, paving the way for Moody’s appointment.

Moody will have to participate in a special election in 2026 to retain her Senate seat. House Rep. Cory Mills, a Republican from Florida, has already announced his intention to run for the position.

Moody has been a strong ally of Governor DeSantis, working closely with him to advance their shared agenda. She recently filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice over alleged interference in Florida’s investigation of a second assassination attempt on Trump at his Mar-a-Lago golf course.

Last year, Moody also sued the Biden administration over a rule she believed would compel doctors to provide gender transition care. Additionally, she petitioned the Supreme Court in 2024 to disqualify a Florida ballot measure aimed at expanding abortion access, citing concerns about misleading language.