Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that he has appointed Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to replace Marco Rubio in the U.S Senat,, whom President-elect Donald Trump tapped to be secretary of state. DeSantis told reporters that he would appoint his chief of staff, James Uthmeier, to fill Moody’s attorney general post.

DeSantis said at a press conference near Orlando: “These are always significant appointments, but I think right now appointments like these are more significant than ever. This is a time for action and a time for Washington D.C. to deliver results to the American people. There are no more excuses for Republicans. Today I am proud to announce that I am selecting our attorney general, Ashley Moody, to serve as our next U.S. senator,” adding that Moody has “honorably served our people” during her time as the state’s top law enforcement officer.

Rubio has served in the Senate since 2010; he was on Capitol Hill on Wednesday for his confirmation hearing. Moody will have to run in a 2026 special election to keep the seat for the final two years of Rubio’s term.  When Moody takes the seat, there will be 10 GOP women in the chamber.

Moody, 49, was a federal prosecutor and circuit court judge before she won her bidden 2018 to serve as Florida’s attorney general, as well as her re-election bid in 2022. Moody said at the press conference: “You better believe that as a United States Senator, I will work for you, those that stand on that thin line between chaos and order, between safety and crime. I have got your back.”

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