The Republican nominee for attorney general, Ashley Moody, has picked up the endorsement of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. The announcement came Friday morning at the Chamber’s Board of Directors meeting in Orlando.

The Chamber says Moody, a fifth generation Floridian who has served as a federal prosecutor and circuit court judge, possesses the qualities needed to ensure the safety of Florida’s  residents and communities..

“Ashley Moody is a brilliant legal mind and is compassionate for all Floridians. She has the toughness and integrity to be Florida’s next Attorney General,” said Bob Grammig of the law firm Holland and Knight, who serves as chair of the Chamber.

Moody is running against Democrat Sean Shaw, who currently serves as a representative in the Florida House. Shaw is the son of the late Leander Shaw, the first African American chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court.

Moody is also the offspring of a respected judge. She is the daughter of  James Moody Jr., a federal judge in the district that includes Central Florida.

After getting her law degree she went to work at the Holland & Knight in Tampa before being appointed as a federal prosecutor in Jacksonville. She would later transfer  to the Tampa office of the U.S. Attorney to prosecute drug cases. In 2006, Moody was elected to the circuit court in Hillsborough County.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Florida Chamber of Commerce to become Florida’s next Attorney General,” said Moody. “For more than a century, the Florida Chamber has served as the foundation of economic prosperity and entrepreneurship. As Florida’s next chief legal officer and top prosecutor, I will support the rule of law and a strong judicial system, the backbone of a vibrant and healthy economy.”

Moody has been endorsed by current Attorney General Pam Bondi, who must step down at the beginning of the year due to term limits. Bondi’s endorsement came early in the  primary election process.

“Ashley Moody is more than qualified to help protect Florida’s families and job creators and move Florida forward,” said Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber. “We look forward to seeing her continue her good work as part of the Florida Cabinet.”

Florida’s attorney general is the state’s chief legal officer and is responsible for consumer protection, and is one of four elected members who serve on the Florida Cabinet.