Moody, Ashley

Ashley Moody is the junior United States Senator from Florida, serving since January 21, 2025. She was appointed to the seat by Governor Ron DeSantis following the resignation of Marco Rubio, who became Secretary of State in the Trump administration. Before entering the Senate, Moody served as Florida's 38th Attorney General from 2019 to 2025. Born in Plant City, Florida, in 1975, she earned bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting from the University of Florida, as well as a law degree from the University of Florida College of Law and a Master of Laws in international law from Stetson University College of Law. Her legal career began at the law firm Holland & Knight, where she practiced commercial litigation. She later served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Middle District of Florida, prosecuting drug, firearm, and fraud offenses. In 2006, at age 31, she became the youngest judge in Florida when elected as a circuit court judge in Hillsborough County, a position she held until 2017.

In the Senate, Moody serves on several key committees including the Judiciary Committee, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Joint Economic Committee. Her legislative focus reflects her background in law enforcement and judicial matters. She has introduced bills addressing Medicaid fraud control, healthcare policy, border security, and agricultural issues. Her sponsored legislation includes measures on Medicaid fraud prosecution, traditional cigar manufacturing, and homeschool graduation recognition.

As Florida Attorney General, Moody took conservative positions on major policy issues, supporting lawsuits to invalidate the Affordable Care Act and opposing the legalization of recreational cannabis. She also opposed voting rights restoration for former felons and challenged ballot measures on abortion access. During her Senate tenure, she has continued to emphasize law and order, border security, and support for the Trump administration's agenda. Moody is running in the 2026 special election to retain her Senate seat.