If you’re trying to keep track of the senators for the state of Florida, things have changed quite a bit recently. You might remember the longtime duo of Marco Rubio and Rick Scott. Well, as of early 2026, that dynamic has been totally upended. Florida’s political scene is moving fast, and the names representing the Sunshine State in Washington D.C. aren't exactly what they were two years ago.
Honestly, it’s a lot to keep up with. Between presidential appointments and high-stakes elections, the "who's who" of Florida's Senate delegation has shifted.
The Current Heavy Hitters: Rick Scott and Ashley Moody
Right now, Florida is represented by Rick Scott and Ashley Moody. If the second name sounds a bit new in a Senate context, there’s a good reason for that.
Rick Scott: The Senior Senator
Rick Scott is the veteran here. After serving as Florida’s governor for eight years, he made the jump to the U.S. Senate back in 2019. He just won a massive re-election in November 2024. People thought it might be a close race against Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, but Scott basically ran away with it, winning by over 12 points.
He’s now Florida’s Senior Senator. Since Marco Rubio left for the executive branch, Scott has stepped into the top spot. He’s known for being a numbers guy—very focused on the federal budget and "rescuing America," as he puts it in his policy plans. He even made a run for Senate Republican Leader recently. He didn't win that specific internal battle, but it shows just how much pull he’s trying to exert in D.C.
Ashley Moody: The New Face in the Chamber
Then you’ve got Ashley Moody. This is where most people get tripped up. Moody was Florida’s Attorney General, but she's now sitting in the seat formerly held by Marco Rubio.
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When Rubio was tapped by President Donald Trump to become the U.S. Secretary of State in early 2025, it left a massive hole in Florida’s representation. Governor Ron DeSantis had to appoint a replacement, and he chose Moody. She was sworn in as a U.S. Senator on January 21, 2025.
It’s worth noting that she is an "appointed" senator for now. She’s not just coasting, though; she is already deep into the 2026 special election cycle to keep that seat.
Why Marco Rubio Isn't There Anymore
It feels weird to talk about the senators for the state of Florida and not have Marco Rubio at the top of the list. He was a fixture for nearly 15 years. But in politics, a call from the White House usually changes everything.
Rubio’s move to the State Department was a huge deal. He was confirmed with a 99-0 vote in the Senate—a rare moment of total agreement in Washington. While he’s no longer your senator, he’s still a Floridian holding one of the most powerful jobs in the world. He’s basically the face of American foreign policy now, especially when it comes to dealing with China and Latin America.
What’s Happening in 2026?
If you live in Florida, your mailbox is probably about to get very crowded. Because Ashley Moody was appointed, her seat is up for grabs in a Special Election on November 3, 2026.
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This isn't a normal six-year term. The winner of this election will serve out the remainder of Rubio’s original term, which goes until 2029.
- The Primary: Set for August 18, 2026.
- The Deadline: Candidates have until April 24, 2026, to officially file.
- The Competition: Moody is running to keep the seat, but she’s facing primary challengers from within her own party, and the Democrats are working hard to find a candidate who can flip the state back to blue.
It’s going to be a wild year for Florida politics. Florida has trended quite red lately, but special elections can be unpredictable.
What These Senators Actually Do for You
You see them on the news, but what are they actually doing in the Capitol?
Rick Scott has been very active on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Just this month, in January 2026, he introduced legislation (S.3681) aimed at making sure Border Protection and ICE employees keep getting paid even if the government shuts down. He’s leaning hard into the "fiscal hawk" and "border security" roles.
Ashley Moody, given her background as a judge and Attorney General, has naturally gravitated toward legal and public safety issues. She’s essentially bringing her "tough on crime" Florida brand to the national stage.
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How to Get in Touch with Them
A lot of people think their senators are unreachable, but that’s not really true. They both have offices throughout the state. If you’re dealing with a federal agency—like the VA or Social Security—and you’re hitting a brick wall, their "constituent services" teams are actually pretty good at helping.
- Rick Scott’s Office: You can find him online at his official Senate page. He has offices in Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville.
- Ashley Moody’s Office: Since she took over Rubio’s old infrastructure, she maintains a similar presence. Her main D.C. office is the best place to start for policy concerns.
Moving Forward
The best way to stay informed is to keep an eye on the April 2024 filing deadline. That’s when we will know exactly who is challenging Ashley Moody for that seat. If you're a registered voter in Florida, you'll have a chance to decide if you want to stick with the appointed incumbent or try someone new.
In the meantime, you can track their voting records on sites like Congress.gov to see if their actions actually match the "Sunshine State" values they talk about on TV.
To stay on top of the upcoming 2026 election, make sure your voter registration is up to date through the Florida Department of State website by at least October 2026 to participate in the general election. You can also sign up for email updates from both Scott and Moody’s official websites to see their weekly newsletters, which often detail the specific bills they are sponsoring or supporting.