If you haven't checked the news in the last year, you might still think you know who are the two senators of Florida, but things have shifted in a major way. For a decade, the names were basically set in stone. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott. They were the duo representing the Sunshine State in D.C., and it felt like that wasn't going to change anytime soon.
Then 2025 happened.
Honestly, the Florida political landscape got a massive facelift when President Trump tapped Marco Rubio to serve as the U.S. Secretary of State. That move sent ripples through Tallahassee and Washington alike. Today, the answer to the question isn't just a matter of looking at old election ballots. It's about a high-stakes appointment and a hard-fought re-election.
As of early 2026, the two senators representing Florida are Rick Scott and Ashley Moody.
The Senior Senator: Rick Scott’s Firm Grip on Power
Rick Scott isn't exactly a new face. He's been a fixture in Florida politics since he first ran for Governor back in 2010. After serving two terms in the Governor's mansion, he jumped into the Senate in 2018, narrowly defeating Bill Nelson.
But 2024 was his real test.
A lot of people wondered if Florida was still "purple" or if it had gone full "red." Scott’s 2024 re-election campaign against Debbie Mucarsel-Powell gave us a pretty clear answer. He won by over 12 points. That’s a massive margin in a state that used to be known for recount drama and "hanging chads."
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Nowadays, Scott is the Senior Senator. He's also taking on a much bigger role in the national GOP. After a failed bid to replace Mitch McConnell as the Senate Leader in late 2024, he pivoted. He’s currently the Chair of the Special Committee on Aging. It's a big deal for a state like Florida, where retirees are basically the lifeblood of the economy.
He’s focused on a few specific things:
- Inflation control: Scott is constantly railing against "reckless spending" in D.C.
- Border security: This is a cornerstone of his platform.
- The "America First" agenda: He’s closely aligned with the Trump administration's 2026 goals.
The New Face: How Ashley Moody Became Florida’s Junior Senator
This is where most people get tripped up. If you're asking who are the two senators of Florida right now, the name Ashley Moody might be a bit of a surprise if you aren't a local political junkie.
She didn't win her seat in a general election—at least, not yet.
When Marco Rubio was confirmed as Secretary of State in January 2025, it left a massive hole in the Senate. Governor Ron DeSantis had the power to appoint a successor. There was a lot of gossip. People thought maybe Lara Trump would get it. Others whispered about DeSantis’s chief of staff.
Instead, DeSantis went with a "safe" but highly experienced pick: Florida’s Attorney General, Ashley Moody.
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She was sworn in on January 21, 2025. Moody is a fifth-generation Floridian and a former judge. Before the Senate, she was the state’s top cop, leading the charge on things like the opioid litigation and human trafficking.
The 2026 Special Election Factor
Here’s the thing you need to know about Moody's seat. Because she was appointed, she doesn't just get to stay there until Rubio’s original term would have ended. Florida law and Senate rules mean there’s a special election.
Technically, we are in a special election year right now. Moody is currently serving, but she has to defend that seat in the 2026 special election to finish out the remainder of the term (which ends in 2028). It makes her position a bit more precarious than Scott's, though her popularity in the state remains incredibly high among the Republican base.
Why the Rubio Departure Changed Everything
Marco Rubio was the face of Florida Republicanism on the world stage for years. His departure to the State Department didn't just change a name on a door; it changed the seniority and the committee influence Florida has.
When Rubio left, Rick Scott became the Senior Senator. Seniority matters in the Senate. It dictates office space, committee assignments, and how much "weight" your voice carries when drafting legislation. Florida went from having a veteran Senator in Class 3 to having an appointed Junior Senator who is still learning the ropes of the Capitol Hill culture.
Moody has had to hit the ground running. She’s currently sitting on the Judiciary Committee, which makes sense given her background as a prosecutor and judge.
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Comparing the Two: Scott vs. Moody
It’s kinda interesting to see how they differ in style.
| Feature | Rick Scott | Ashley Moody |
|---|---|---|
| Background | Business executive/Hospital CEO | Judge/Attorney General |
| Political Style | Policy-heavy, numbers-oriented | Legalistic, law-and-order focus |
| Public Image | The "Jobs" Governor turned Senator | The "State's Attorney" defender |
| Term Ends | January 2031 | 2026 (Special Election) |
Scott is very much the "accountant" of the Senate. He’s always talking about the budget, the debt, and the "Florida model" of low taxes. He’s more of a firebrand when it comes to national politics.
Moody, on the other hand, carries herself like the judge she used to be. She’s precise. She talks a lot about the "rule of law" and protecting children from Big Tech. She isn't quite the "culture warrior" that DeSantis is, but she definitely leans into those issues when they intersect with the law.
What Most People Get Wrong About Florida’s Senators
A common misconception is that Florida still has one Democrat and one Republican. That hasn't been true since Bill Nelson lost his seat in 2018. Since then, Florida has been represented by two Republicans.
Another mistake is thinking that Ron DeSantis is a Senator. He’s the Governor. While he has a massive national profile, he stays in Tallahassee (or on the campaign trail), while Scott and Moody handle the federal business in D.C.
Actionable Steps for Florida Residents
Knowing who are the two senators of Florida is only half the battle. If you actually want to get something done—like getting help with a passport, a veteran's benefit issue, or expressing your opinion on a bill—you need to know how to reach them.
- Check the District Offices: You don't have to go to D.C. Both Scott and Moody have offices in cities like Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville.
- The "Constituent Services" Hack: If you’re having trouble with a federal agency (like the IRS or VA), go to Rick Scott’s website. His office actually won awards for having the best constituent services in Congress. They have a specific form you can fill out to ask for a "congressional inquiry" into your case.
- Watch the 2026 Special Election: Since Ashley Moody is in an appointed seat, the 2026 election is going to be huge. Keep an eye on the primary season starting in mid-2026. This is where you’ll see if the Democrats can mount a comeback or if Florida stays firmly in the GOP column.
- Follow the Committees: If you care about the military, watch Rick Scott on the Armed Services Committee. If you care about the courts or crime, watch Ashley Moody on the Judiciary Committee. That’s where the real work happens before a bill ever hits the news.
Florida's representation has never been more aligned with the "Tallahassee-to-D.C." pipeline. With a former Governor and a former Attorney General in the seats, the state's leadership is effectively an extension of the policies that have defined Florida for the last decade. Whether you agree with them or not, they are currently two of the most powerful voices in the U.S. Senate.