Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been leaning toward replacing Sen. Marco Rubio with state attorney general Ashley Moody, but has not made a decision, according to people familiar with the matter.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ announcement that he’s appointing Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Marco Rubio places the 49-year-old Plant City native in an exotic locale far from home.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to replace Marco Rubio's U.S. Senate seat on Thursday morning. But with Moody heading to Congress, who will be taking over the Florida attorney general's office?

The big story: With U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio on tap to become secretary of state, Gov. Ron DeSantis picked Florida attorney general Ashley Moody to complete the final two years of Rubio’s term.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody will replace Marco Rubio in the Senate, but who is Moody?

FILE - Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, on March 2, 2023. Moody will fill Marco Rubio's vacant U.S. Senate seat, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Jan. 16, 2025.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced state Attorney General Ashley Moody as his pick to replace Sen. Marco Rubio.

Pam Bondi, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to lead the Justice Department as attorney general, appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee for her confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. (Ben Curtis/AP)

The NHL will have games in Miami and Tampa next season Read full article ... 2024 in Tallahassee, Fla. Florida's attorney general is expected to ask the state Supreme Court to keep an abortion ...

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Florida's attorney general has a long history in Tampa, serving as a circuit judge in Hillsborough County. She was also a staunch opponent of ballot measures on abortion and medical marijuana.