‘Gov. DeSantis has chosen wisely’: Florida reacts to Ashley Moody U.S. Senate appointment

Ashley Moody is fast tracking the 15-week abortion ban to the Supreme Court.

After months of speculation with her name atop the list of likely candidates, Attorney General Ashley Moody is heading to the U.S. Senate, and Florida politicos had a lot to say about the matter.

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Moody to replace U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of State.

“I wanted somebody with a demonstrated record of delivering results,” DeSantis said just seconds before revealing Moody as his pick. “Talk is cheap. We need people who have demonstrated fidelity to (our) principles with their actions. So that is why today I am proud to announce that I am selecting our Attorney General, Ashley Moody, to serve as our next U.S. Senator.”

Rubio’s partner in the Senate and DeSantis’ predecessor in the Governor’s Mansion praised the choice.

“Ashley has done an incredible job fighting for Floridians and keeping our communities safe as Attorney General” U.S. Sen. Rick Scott said on X within minutes of DeSantis’ announcement. “I have no doubt she will do an incredible job as senator!”

Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez said “Floridians will be well represented in the U.S. Senate.”

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said he looks forward to working with Moody “to support President Trump’s agenda to shutdown (sic) the border and put America FIRST.”

Secretary of State Cord Byrd said Moody will be a “great representative” for Florida and acknowledged he was among the other candidates DeSantis had considered for the job. “(I) am deeply grateful,” he said, for DeSantis’ “confidence in me and consideration for this appointment.”

Republican U.S. Reps. Aaron Bean, Gus Bilirakis, Kathy Castor, Mario Díaz-Balart, Neal Dunn, Byron Donalds, Carlos Giménez, Laurel Lee and María Elvira Salazar agreed.

“We will miss her as AG,” Bean said of Moody on X, “but her energy is outstanding, and she will put America First in the Senate.”

Through an “impressive career,” Bilirakis said, Moody “has undoubtedly proven herself as a tireless advocate for Florida, always championing the rights and wellbeing of seniors, veterans, children and families.” She’s also been “ferocious and proactive in the fight against scammers, predators and all those who seek to prey upon the vulnerable,” he said, adding, “I have no doubt that the will take that same passion and vision with her to Washington and I look forward to working alongside her to deliver an America First agenda.”

In a lengthy statement, Castor noted that Florida will soon have its first U.S. Senator from Hillsborough County, which is having something of a moment with Moody, Castor, Lee and Pam Bondi, who is on track for U.S. Attorney General, all set to serve concurrently in Washington.

“While the country has yet to elect a female President,” she said, “I hope that this moment in history — with strong women from Hillsborough County leading the way — will be an inspiration for all who seek to make a positive difference for their community and country.”

Díaz-Balart said he was “thrilled” to hear of Moody’s selection. “Moody is smart as a whip, and I am confident that she will do an exemplary job in protecting our law enforcement, defending our constitution, and pursuing (Trump’s) America First Agenda.”

Dunn said he’s “thrilled” to work with Moody on Capitol Hill. “Moody has been a relentless advocate for the people of Florida with a long history of arguing for their interests in the courts,” he said. “Her determination to deliver results for all Floridians is evident from her long track record of legal victories and commitment to getting results.”

Donalds, a leading potential candidate for Governor in 2026, applauded DeSantis for the decision. “(I) look forward to working with her in the halls of Congress as we fight to Make America Great Again,” he said.

“Throughout her career, she’s shown unwavering commitment to keeping our communities safe and defending our Republican values” Lee wrote on X. “Florida is lucky to have her leading the charge in Washington!”

Giménez gave similar congratulations, adding, “Looking forward to continuing working closely together to protect our state & our nation!”

Lee addressed Moody directly: “Your leadership, dedication, and commitment to our state will undoubtedly make a positive impact in Washington. Looking forward to seeing you serve Floridians in this new role and in our continued partnership!”

Salazar said Moody’s “strong faith and conservative principles will guide her fight in the Senate.”

Ben Albritton, President of the Florida Senate, lauded the pick, writing on X, “Moody is a strong conservative warrior and will work hard to make sure the U.S. Senate passes President Trump’s agenda!”

State Sen. Jay Collins, a Tampa Republican, gave kudos as well. Collins said he was “in the mix” for the Senate post and thanked DeSantis for “showing enough faith and trust” to consider him for the job.

“The fight continues!” Collins said. “We have a nation to save!”

State Rep. Berny Jacques, a Seminole Republican, said Moody “will stand up for America First, Law & Order, and our values.”

Tom Fabricio, a Republican state Representative from Miami Lakes, called her “a proven leader and tireless advocate for Florida” who will “represent our state with integrity and strength.”

Miami-Dade Commissioner Rob Gonzalez, a former Republican candidate for the Florida House, called Moody “a true champion of freedom and an outstanding Attorney General.” He added, “While we’ll miss your leadership as AG, we’re proud to see you take on the role of Senator.”

Eric Diaz-Padron, Mayor of West Miami, said he is “Proud to have been a day 1 supporter” of Moody, who “has led on issues affecting Floridians on a national stage for some time and will hit the ground running in her new role.”

Former Gov. Jeb Bush called Moody a “great choice” and certain to be “a fine Senator.”

The heads of several organizations weighed in on Moody’s selection as well.

Republican Party of Florida Chair Evan Power congratulated Moody and said, “She will show the US Senate why Florida leads the way!”

The party’s Executive Director, Bill Helmich, called Moody’s appointment “Awesome news!“

Skylar Zander, the Florida State Director of Americans for Prosperity, said Moody will meet the needs of “all freedom-loving Floridians” and that his group is eager to work with her “to help clean up Washington and advance policies that create meaningful opportunities and a brighter future for all Floridians.”

“Floridians need and deserve principled leadership in Washington, and Gov. DeSantis has chosen wisely in selecting Attorney General Ashley Moody to champion the values of accountability, opportunity, and individual freedom that our state holds dear,” he said in a prepared statement. “As a judge and Attorney General, she fought for the rule of law and for Floridians, qualities that we know will make her a great fighter for us in Washington.”

A statement from the Florida Young Republicans noted Moody’s work on human trafficking and illegal immigration. As a U.S. Senator, the group said, “she’ll help get President Trump’s priorities over the finish line.”

Orange County GOP Chair Erin Huntley said she was “really happy to support” Moody, whom she called “a candidate who runs and gives her ideas and then … implements them when she is elected into office.”

“(That is) something Florida can really bring to Washington,’ Huntley added.

Rhonda Rebman Lopez, Chair of the Monroe County GOP, said Florida “is in good hands” with Moody in the Senate.

Anders Croy, Communications Director for the progressive DeSantis Watch group, offered a far more critical take.

“Throughout his time as governor, Ron DeSantis, with the help of Attorney General Ashley Moody, has spent millions of taxpayer dollars in court to defend unconstitutional laws and help their corporate elite donors instead of following the law and doing their jobs to address the real issues impacting Floridians during our state’s affordability crisis,” he said in a prepared statement.

“Floridians deserve a United States Senator who will focus on lowering costs, fighting for their freedoms, and putting their needs first, but Ron DeSantis’ self-serving selection of Ashley Moody proves that the only qualification he was interested in was someone with absolute loyalty to the Governor’s long-term political ambitions.”

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried, who unsuccessfully ran to unseat DeSantis in 2022, also bashed the pick.

“Ashley Moody has been Ron’s personal lapdog from day one,” Fried said in a prepared statement. “As a Senator, Ashley will no doubt take her marching orders exclusively from Donald Trump with no regard for what’s best for the people of Florida — she may even just keep the seat warm until Ron runs in 2026. Ashley Moody failed Florida as Attorney General, and she’ll fail Florida in the Senate.”

The party’s Executive Director, Philip Jerez, said “Moody failed Florida as Attorney General, and she’ll fail Florida in the U.S. Senate.”

Rick Wilson, a co-founder and Board member of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project group, took a crack at the President-elect’s daughter-in-law, who was also floated for the Senate appointment.

He wrote simply, “Sorry, Lara.”

Many pols and groups outside the Sunshine State chimed in too.

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, called Moody “a proven conservative fighter for (Trump’s) agenda of prosperity, safety, and security.

“As Attorney General, she has been a national leader on border security, a champion of safe streets, and an unyielding defender of the rights of Floridians,” he wrote on X. “As a mom of two, she understands the importance of our Republican Majority’s mission to deliver generational opportunities for families. We’re excited to congratulate and welcome Ashley Moody to the U.S. Senate.”

Marsha Blackburn, a U.S. Senator from Tennessee, said she is “Looking forward to having another strong conservative woman in the Senate!”