Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed the state’s attorney general, Ashley Moody, to replace Senator Marco Rubio, who will leave office to become the next U.S. Secretary of State.
The decision was announced during a press conference in Orlando on Thursday morning.
Moody, a staunch ally of both DeSantis and President Trump, is expected to trigger significant political reshuffling in Florida as she takes on the Senate role. The move is already creating a wave of speculation and maneuvering among Florida’s political ranks ahead of the 2026 elections.
DeSantis plans to tap his chief of staff, James Uthmeier, as Moody’s successor for attorney general. “It was always Ashley. And James is the obvious pick to replace her,” a source said.
Representative Byron Donalds has begun assembling a political team as he eyes a run for governor in 2026. Meanwhile, Moody’s appointment to the Senate could lead to a primary clash with Representative Cory Mills, who recently announced his candidacy for Rubio’s seat.
