Ashley Moody’s Senate campaign touts clean sweep of GOP Sheriffs

Law enforcement continues to line up in support of U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody’s campaign to win the seat she holds in her own right.

After announcing nods from 15 State Attorneys on Wednesday, the twice-elected former Attorney General is tacking on endorsements from the county Sheriffs in 64 of the state’s 67 counties. Notably, there are now no Republicans left on the board for any potential primary challenger to snap up.

The bulk endorsement included statements from a half-dozen Sheriffs praising the Plant City Republican’s law-and-order bona fides — before her six-year tenure as the state’s top cop began in 2019, Moody spent a decade serving as a judge in Florida’s 13th Judicial Circuit.

“There is no better individual who has proven her stance on the rule of the law and shown her unwavering support for all law enforcement than Ashley Moody to represent all Floridians in the U.S. Senate,” Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said in a prepared statement.

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco added that Florida has been “blessed to have great U.S. Senators, with former Sen. Marco Rubio, our current Sen. Rick Scott, and now Sen. Moody, who will continue this great momentum and will make sure Florida is represented well in the U.S. Senate.”

Moody responded, “Every single day, men and women put on the uniform and vow to protect and serve our communities to keep Florida families safe. Their sacrifice does not go unnoticed, and I am grateful to have the endorsement of 64 Florida Sheriffs.

“We owe a debt of gratitude for their selfless leadership, and I will continue working each day to ensure our law enforcement have the resources they need. I will always have their backs as we work together to secure the border, end the fentanyl crisis, strengthen our national security, and protect Florida families.”

The Sheriff’s endorsements land as Moody’s run begins in earnest. Although she made her bid official three weeks ago, her “Inaugural Campaign Kickoff” fundraiser is tonight in Tampa. A fundraiser invitation said the event would double as a birthday bash for Moody, whose 50th is around the corner.

Two months ago, Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Moody as now-Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s replacement in the U.S. Senate. Rubio was last re-elected in 2022, and his seat was not scheduled for election until 2028. However, state law requires vacated U.S. Senate seats to be placed on the next even-year General Election ballot. The 2026 Election determines who will serve out the balance of Rubio’s term; the seat will be on the ballot again in 2028.