A former primary opponent of Republican attorney general candidate Ashley Moody is now one of Moody’s supporters. State Rep. Ross Spano, R-Riverview, announced Wednesday he is endorsing the former judge from Hillsborough County.
Spano was one of the GOP candidates in the race for attorney general until he decided in April to leave the race, instead opting to run for Congress in Florida’s 15th Congressional District. That’s the seat being left empty by U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross who shocked political insiders when he announced he would not seek reelection.
“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 in making his endorsement. “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.”
Moody, who has also been endorsed by current Attorney General Pam Bondi, 42 sheriffs and 12 state attorneys, welcomed Spano’s support.
“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.”
Bondi is term-limited and can’t seek another term as attorney general.
Moody faces state Rep. Frank White, R-Pensacola, in the Republican primary. The primary election is August 28. On the Democratic side of the ticket, state Rep. Sean Shaw, D-Tampa, is competing with Tampa attorney Ryan Torrens for that party’s nomination.