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Ashley Moody news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Sen. Ashley Moody faces Florida voters in Tuesday's primary, seeking first full term. The November general election could be a bigger challenge.
Background
Ashley Moody was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2025 to replace Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate. She is now running for her first full term in the 2026 election. The primary is on Tuesday, and the winner will face the Democratic nominee in November.
How it unfolded
- 2025Moody was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to replace Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate.
- Jul 27, 2026Moody faced renewed scrutiny over her role in the Hope Florida scandal, with criticism from Alexander Vindman and coverage by CBS News Miami.
- Aug 13, 2026Moody discussed proposed White House cuts to the Department of Education, calling them a 'restructuring' of funds.
- Aug 17, 2026Moody is expected to win the Republican primary on Tuesday, with the November general election seen as a bigger challenge.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Moody's campaign communications director, Cameron Gambini, defended her record and dismissed criticism.
- Analysts
- Political science professor Aubrey Jewett noted that the November general election could be more competitive than the primary.
- Caution
- Alexander Vindman's campaign spokesperson, Albert Fujii, criticized Moody's role in the Hope Florida scandal, though some claims were overstated.
Still unverified
Claims about Moody's role in the Hope Florida scandal are disputed; Alexander Vindman has overstated what is known about her involvement.