State Rep. Ross Spano, R-Riverview, who had been running in the Republican primary to be Florida’s next attorney general before deciding to run for Congress earlier this year, endorsed former Judge Ashley Moody for attorney general on Wednesday morning.
Spano had been running for the Republican primary to replace term limited Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi but ended his bid back in April to run for Congress after U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Fla., shocked the Florida political world by deciding to retire. Spano was soon joined on the sidelines by state Rep. Jay Fant, R-Jacksonville, leaving Moody and state Rep. Frank White, R-Pensacola, in the race.
On Wednesday, Spano stressed his support for his former rival. Both of them are based in Hillsborough County, parts of which Spano represented in the Florida House since first being elected back in 2012.
“Ashley Moody is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and will always stand up for the rights of law-abiding gun owners and against the liberal gun control agenda,” Spano said. “Ashley has the experience to defend the Second Amendment rights of Floridians and that’s why I’m endorsing and standing with her conservative campaign for a stronger, safer Florida.”
“Throughout the campaign trail, it was evident Representative Ross and I shared conservative values and goals for the State of Florida, including putting an end to human trafficking, defending Second Amendment rights, and protecting our seniors.” said Moody. “Thank you to Representative Spano for his endorsement of my candidacy to be Florida’s next attorney general. It is an honor I will work hard to deserve.”
Moody and White will meet in the Republican primary at the end of August. On the Democratic side, state Rep. Sean Shaw, D-Tampa, is taking on Central Attorney Ryan Torrens in the primary.