Rubio’s GOP successor clears key hurdle to finish his six-year Senate term

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Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., won Florida’s GOP Senate primary Tuesday, clearing a key hurdle in her bid to finish the final two years of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s six-year Senate term.

The Trump-backed incumbent defeated three Republican challengers — Chris Gleason, Neelam Taneja Perry and Ernest “Ernie” Rivera — after entering the primary as the overwhelming favorite. Moody, a former two-term Florida attorney general, was appointed to Rubio’s seat by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in January 2025 and was sworn into the Senate days after Rubio resigned to join President Donald Trump’s administration.

Trump endorsed Moody ahead of the special election, saying she was doing a “tremendous job,” and she entered the race with support from a broad swath of Florida Republicans, including Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and several other members of the state’s congressional delegation.

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody

“Senator Ashley Moody is doing a tremendous job representing the incredible people of Florida, a State I love, and WON BIG, in 2016, 2020, and 2024!” President Trump wrote on TruthSocial last month.

“A fifth generation Floridian, Ashley served as State Attorney General for six years prior to becoming a very distinguished and well respected U.S. Senator,” he continued. “Ashley is working tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Champion American Energy DOMINANCE, Help Secure our already Secure Southern Border, Stop Migrant Crime, Murderers, and other Criminals from illegally entering our Country, Strengthen our Great Military/Veterans, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.”

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Moody entered the primary with a major financial advantage, reporting more than $10.8 million in receipts and about $8.4 million cash on hand through June 30, according to FEC records.

She will now face Democrat nominee Angie Nixon in November after she won her primary Tuesday.

The special election will determine who serves through the end of Rubio’s term that ends in January 2029. Democrats have not won a U.S. Senate election there since 2012.

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