Ashley Moody: An Overview of DeSantis' Choice to Fill Rubio's Senate Seat

Announced Thursday by Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida Attorney General will succeed Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate, becoming the second woman from Florida to serve in this legislative chamber.

Per Florida's regulations, the appointment follows Rubio's selection to a different governmental role, with Moody occupying the Senate position until the 2026 general elections.

DeSantis lauded Moody on Thursday, highlighting her as a central figure in his 'law and order' initiatives and a supporter of policies to enhance border security, combat inflation, and reorganize federal agencies he views as overly expansive.

Moody expressed her readiness to advocate in the Senate for in-coming President Trump and ensure the legislative branch fulfills its role, including oversight of bureaucratic actions affecting the public.

A Floridian at Heart

A native of Plant City, a region near Tampa, Moody is a fifth-generation Floridian. Her academic journey included earning multiple degrees from the University of Florida in accounting and law, and further legal studies at Stetson University.

She shares her life with her husband Justin Duralia, a high-ranking member of law enforcement, and their two sons.

Legal Career and Judiciary Service

Moody's career in law began with Holland & Knight, where her focus was on commercial litigation. Additionally, she volunteered to support victims of domestic violence in court.

Later, she served in the U.S. Attorney's office, handling cases related to drugs, firearms, and fraud, earning commendations for her work.

At 31, she made history as Florida's youngest Circuit Court judge, where she initiated a program for volunteer attorneys and created a mentorship scheme for vulnerable youth.

Transition from Law to Politics

Elected as Florida's Attorney General in 2018, Moody promised to be a prosecutorial rather than a political figure, supporting DeSantis' legal strategies during her term.

Her tenure was marked by challenges to federal policies under the Biden administration and actions that strengthened her political standing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moody also engaged in legal matters aimed at contesting Joe Biden's 2020 election win and has actively opposed legal challenges perceived as adversarial to former President Trump.

By accepting her new role, Moody provides DeSantis with the chance to appoint a new attorney general, potentially broadening his political influence in Florida.