On Tuesday, Moody began her term as Florida’s newest Senator, filling the role vacated by now-Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Vice President JD Vance conducted the swearing in ceremony for now-Senator Moody, as well as for his successor Sen. Jon Husted, of Ohio.

Republican Ashley Moody has been sworn in as Florida’s junior U.S. Senator. She took office a day after former U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s confirmation as Secretary of State. Vice President JD Vance administered the oath of office to Moody and new Ohio U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, who fills the seat just vacated by Vance.

In order to keep the Senate job, Husted will have to win a 2026 special election to fill the last two years of the term JD Vance vacated to become vice-president, then seek a full-six year term in 2028.

Moody, 49, becomes the second woman to represent Florida in the U.S. Senate, after Paula Hawkins, a Republican who served one term in the 1980s.

Senate Republicans hit their full 53-member majority on Tuesday as Sens. John Husted (R-Ohio) and Ashley Moody (R-Fla.) were sworn into office by Vice President Vance. The pair cemented the full majority after weeks of being stuck at 51 or 52 GOP members.