Ashley Moody
Republican · Incumbent · U.S. Senate (FL) · 2026
Appointed U.S. Senator and Armed Services Committee member who is a staunch ally of Governor Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump.
Before politics: Judicial Faculty, Florida's New Judges College Former Associate Attorney, Holland & Knight Adjunct Professor, Stetson University College of Law Circuit Court Judge, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit
Their shot at this seat
Despite a challenging national environment for her party, Moody is well-positioned to retain her seat due to her massive financial advantage and the seat's significant conservative structural lean.
Who's behind them
The coalition supporting Ashley Moody remains highly energized and well-funded, showing no signs of institutional erosion.
What could go wrong
Moody’s primary risk remains the specific focus on her handling of Medicaid funds, though her proven ability to outperform other candidates provides a significant buffer.
Why they fit this seat
Moody’s record aligns effectively with the core priorities of her constituency, balancing hardline conservative security issues with broader moderate concerns.
Key contrasts
Promotes tax cuts and reducing government regulations.
populist; supports wealth tax and rent freezes
Who this moves: Working-class voters facing cost-of-living pressures.
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| Issue | Ashley Moody | Angie Nixon | Who this moves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy and taxes | Supports Promotes tax cuts and reducing government regulations. | Supports populist; supports wealth tax and rent freezes | Working-class voters facing cost-of-living pressures. |
| Healthcare | Mixed Record of Medicaid settlement controversy and oversight criticism. | Supports supports Medicare for All and ACA subsidy expansion | Voters concerned with government transparency and healthcare affordability. |
| Abortion and social issues | Opposes Opposes abortion; challenged abortion-rights ballot initiatives. | Supports supports abortion access; opposes restrictions and bans | Suburban women and moderate voters concerned about reproductive rights and ballot access. |
| Democracy and elections | Opposes Refused debates; supported 2020 election challenges. | Supports grassroots-focused; criticizes opponent's refusal to debate | Independent voters and those concerned with institutional norms and debate participation. |
| Immigration and border | Opposes Aggressively challenges federal immigration policies via lawsuits. | Opposes supports abolishing ICE; advocates for humane immigration reform | Conservative voters prioritizing border security and law enforcement. |
| Foreign policy and defense | Supports Strongly pro-Israel; supports military funding and anti-adversary policies. | Opposes opposes military aid to Israel; calls Gaza war genocide | Voters in Florida's Jewish and Cuban-American communities. |
Who has more standing to be believed
| Credibility axis | Ashley Moody | Angie Nixon |
|---|---|---|
Insider knowledge | Former Florida Attorney General and circuit court judge; currently serving first U.S. Senate term. | State representative only; no federal office or statewide leadership experience. |
Message discipline | Multiple documented reversals or contradictions on record regarding policy and political associations. | Multiple documented contradictions regarding socialist affiliation and DSA membership. |
Moral legitimacy | Endorsed by party organization and law enforcement groups with no censure on record. | Party leadership publicly preferred her primary opponent, Alex Vindman. |
Scandal resilience | Moderate — race centers on incumbent's record regarding Medicaid settlement funds and institutional incumbency advantages. | Multiple formal events: criminal charges and a legislative ethics reprimand. |
Pressure absorption | Won re-election in 2022 by a 21-point margin, outperforming other statewide candidates. | Won a contested primary against a heavily funded, establishment-backed challenger. |
Former Florida Attorney General and circuit court judge; currently serving first U.S. Senate term.
State representative only; no federal office or statewide leadership experience.
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Network
Endorsements and money spent against
National endorsements
- Guardians of Liberty
- Maggie's List
- Senate Conservatives Fund
- Ted Cruz
- Women Winning
In-state power players
- Aaron Bean
- Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida
- Brian Mast
- Carlos Gimenez
- Daniel Webster
- Florida Fraternal Order of Police
- Florida Realtors PAC
- Gus M. Bilirakis
- Jimmy Patronis
- John Rutherford
- Kat Cammack
- Laurel Lee
Signals against
The case they'd make
Ashley Moody positions herself as a staunch ally of conservative leadership, appealing to voters who prioritize border security, law enforcement, and traditional institutional alignment. Her coalition targets those concerned with healthcare affordability, cost-of-living challenges, and the representation of Florida's diverse communities. By emphasizing her experience and record, Moody aims to maintain support among suburban women, moderate voters, and those focused on state-level stability.