Ashley Moody’s bid to keep her U.S. Senate seat now has support from Maggie’s List.

The federal PAC dedicated to electing conservative women has named Moody among its first list of incumbent Senators it’s backing in the 2026 election cycle.

Carole Jean Jordan, Chair of Maggie’s List Florida, said in a statement that it is “an honor” to give an “enthusiastic endorsement” to Moody, whom Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed to the Senate in January.

“She is a tenacious freedom fighter for all of our citizens and will carry those values forward into her upcoming years in the Senate,” Jordan said.

Moody, in a statement of her own, thanked the group for its continued support.

“From my very first Primary to become Florida’s Attorney General through my start as Florida’s newest Senator, the Maggie’s List members have been unwavering in their enthusiasm and support,” she said. “I’m incredibly honored by their endorsement and will continue to fight for conservative principles in our nation’s capital.”

Moody’s ascension to the U.S. Senate followed her predecessor Marco Rubio’s appointment by President Donald Trump as U.S. Secretary of State.

Moody made her intention to keep the seat official last week by formally filing to run for another two years in the Senate in 2026.

As of Tuesday morning, four candidates have filed to run against her. They include Republicans Josue Larose, Jake Lang and Michaelangelo Hamilton, who made news in 2022 for being too young to run for Congress. (That means he’s too young now to run for Senate.)

Evelyn Jané-Marie McBride, who ran as a no-party write-in candidate for the Tampa City Council in 2023, taking 43 of 5,200 votes, is now challenging Moody as a Democrat.

Maggie’s list endorsed four other sitting U.S. Senators whose seats are up for grabs next year: Shelly Moore Capito of West Virginia, Joni Ernst of Iowa, Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming.

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A massive piece of legislation geared towards improving rural communities in the Sunshine State has passed its first committee hurdle with full support from both lawmakers and constituents.

Tallahassee Republican Sen. Corey Simon’s bill (SB 110) seeks to improve infrastructure and enhance education and health care as part of a comprehensive package of proposals designed to usher in a “modern-day renaissance” to rural communities across Florida.

The measure contains critical investments for 31 of Florida’s 67 counties, including broadband internet upgrades, affordable housing, small-business support, roadway improvements, investments into rural schools, and bolstering of rural hospitals.

During the bill’s passage through the Community Affairs Committee, former Senate President and Naples Republican Sen. Kathleen Passidomo showed her support for the bill, commending Simon for bringing it forward and taking the opportunity to address constituents in the audience directly.

“I want to thank Sen. Simon for all the time and effort you’ve put in this bill. … Looking in the audience here, I see people from all over rural Florida, and I want you all to know this is a very special piece of legislation,” Passidomo said. “But it’s going to be up to you all to implement it and make sure that whatever happens with this really fantastic opportunity, that you develop your community how you want to do it.”

Passidomo noted that it’s up to rural communities to take the lead and grow the economy in these areas.

“This is not up to us. This is not the Legislature telling you what to do, but how you want to develop, and I feel really strongly about that because the heart of our state is the center of our state. So I look forward to hearing how you develop this project over the next 10, 20, 30, 50 years,” Passidomo said.

Davie Democratic Sen. Barbara Sharief also showed her support for the bill and shared her excitement for the internet upgrades.

“I was just extremely thrilled about the technology portion of this. … We talked about extending smart technology in the state of Florida, and particularly to have it come into rural communities. I think it’s going to do so much good at increasing your tax base and doing so much more for your communities. I know it’s rural, but you still have to progress and grow, and I think this bill is a great start.”

The bill passed 6-0 and now moves on to the Fiscal Policy Committee.

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As Florida faces more frequent and intense hurricanes, solar energy is proving to be a key solution for homeowners seeking resiliency in the aftermath of storms.

With power outages a frequent occurrence following hurricanes, solar panels are a reliable source to power homes in the wake of hurricanes and remain functional even when the grid fails.

Solar systems are designed to endure the harsh weather storms bring, including hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall. Homeowners have found in addition to providing alternative energy options, solar panels also act as an added layer of protection during storms. Many homeowners report that their solar systems remained intact in the aftermath of hurricanes, protecting their roofs from damage while other parts of their homes suffered destruction.

“I’ve had countless customers come to me after hurricane season amazed at how well the systems held up — and acted as an added layer of protection — in the wake of massive storms,” said Damon Egglefield of Mirasol Solar.

“Solar panels and batteries have provided unmatched resiliency and peace of mind to countless Floridians in the aftermath of hurricanes. As Floridians, hurricanes are a reality of living in the Sunshine State. While we can’t prevent the next storm to hit, we can be better prepared during and after storms.”

In addition to durability, solar systems equipped with battery storage are essential for maintaining power during extended outages. After storms knock out electricity for days, solar energy ensures that homes are not left in the dark. The combination of solar panels and batteries allows homeowners to stay operational while waiting for the grid to be restored.

For Floridians, solar power has become more than just an environmentally friendly option — it has become a lifeline during post-storm power outages. As the state continues to experience severe weather events, the ability to remain self-sufficient in the face of adversity is more important than ever.

“After countless storm seasons relying solely on a generator, I made the switch to solar panels and have never looked back,” said Dennis Chapman, customer of Solar Source in Orlando.

“My panels powered me through the aftermath of Hurricane Helene while my neighbors remained without power. Solar energy has provided me with so much more than energy independence and cheaper utility bills, it’s given me the tools for resiliency when life circumstances are beyond our control.”

Solar energy also represents a step toward reducing reliance on the power grid. With solar, Floridians are less dependent on a system that often fails when the state’s infrastructure is put to the test by extreme weather. Moving toward greater energy independence is a cost-effective option that benefits the entire community in the face of natural disasters.

As more Floridians invest in solar technology, the state moves closer to a future where energy independence is not just an ideal, but a reality that can help families protect themselves when the next storm hits.

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