On Tuesday, Sen. Ashley Moody (R-Fla.) and Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) took the oath of office following the resignations of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President J.D. Vance.
With the addition of two new senators, the Republican Senate now officially has 53 members.
Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis recently announced that he would elect Mr. Moody to take over Mr. Rubio’s seat in the Florida Senate. She previously served as the state’s attorney general.
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Two new Republican senators were sworn into office Tuesday. (Reuters)
Shortly after Mr. DeSantis chose his candidate, Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine announced his choice of Mr. DeSantis, then a lieutenant governor. Vance will be succeeded by Governor Jon Husted.
The final breakdown of the Senate is 53 Republicans and 47 Democratic senators.
The next Ohio senator is a “fiscal conservative” who aims to “take government out of people’s lives.”
Florida Attorney General after Gov. Ron DeSantis (left) announces his appointment to replace Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate during a press conference at the Rosen Plaza Hotel on Thursday, January 16, 2025 in Orlando, Florida Ashley Moody responds to her supporters. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Republicans have a several-seat majority, but will need the support of some Democrats to break the 60-vote filibuster threshold to move most bills forward.
However, nominations and budget adjustments lower that threshold to 51.
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Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted (right) speaks next to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine during a press conference on June 2, 2022 in Avon Lake, Ohio. Mr. DeWine and Mr. Husted were embroiled in an investor lawsuit related to a $60 million bribery scheme concocted by energy giant FirstEnergy and the now-incarcerated speaker of the House. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
“Thank you so much,” Moody said after accepting DeSantis’ appointment. “I intend to bring the same tenacity, passion and tenacity to the United States Senate that I brought to the United States Senate as Florida’s attorney general.”
“As anyone who has worked with me and fought with me over the last six years knows, I don’t think of this as a job. I see it as a calling,” she added.
Ohio Governor DeWine appoints LT Gov. to fill Vice President-elect J.D. Vance’s vacancy
The Capitol Building is seen covered in clouds in Washington, Tuesday, May 11, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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Following DeWine’s announcement, Husted said, “Governor, I just want to thank you. I am honored to accept the position of United States Senator on behalf of the people of Ohio. I am just grateful for that.” He was appointed first as lieutenant governor and now as senator. ”
Julia Johnson is a political writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, where she leads coverage of the U.S. Senate. She previously served as a political reporter for the Washington Examiner.
Follow Julia’s reporting on X. @juliaajohnson_ Send your tips to Julia.Johnson@fox.com.
