VIDEO: Senator Moody Named 2026 ‘Hero of Main Street’ by National Retail Federation

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The National Retail Federation is recognizing Senator Ashley Moody as a 2026 Hero of Main Street. The NRF honored Senator Moody with the award for her steadfast work and support for main street industry through legislative action and common-sense, small government leadership.

"It is an honor to be recognized as the 2026 Hero of Main Street by the National Retail Federation. From family-owned small businesses to major employers, Florida's retailers drive opportunity and play a vital role in our state's continued growth. They support more than 4 million jobs and contribute more than $159.5 billion to Florida's economy - helping grow our state's economy to the 14^th largest economy in the world," said Senator Ashley Moody.

"From the merchants who helped found our nation to the retailers serving communities today, retail has played a critical role in America for the past 250 years," NRF Executive Vice President of Government Relations David French said. "NRF is proud to recognize Senator Moody as a 'Hero of Main Street' for her commitment to advancing policies that ensure the retail industry continues to drive our economy forward."

BACKGROUND:

• The "Hero of Main Street" award was created by NRF in 2013 to recognize a bipartisan group of lawmakers for their support of the retail industry. Award eligibility is based on key votes, bill sponsorship, and advocacy to advance the retail industry's priorities. Retail is one of Florida's largest private-sector employers, driving the economy and creating jobs in communities throughout the throughout the state. In Florida, retail directly supports more than 4 million local jobs and contributes more than $159.5 billion in economic activity. The National Retail Federation empowers the industry that powers the economy.
• Florida is home to over 387,000 retail establishments which makes up of 28% of the jobs in the state supported by the retail industry.
• Over $94 billion is direct labor income for Floridians from retail jobs.
• Retail is the nation's largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs - 55 million working Americans.
• In 2021, Senator Moody, while serving as Florida Attorney General, partnered with the Florida Retailers Federation to launch the Florida Organized Retail Crime Exchange, a first-of-its-kind, statewide task force and a new interactive database to help spot trends, identify suspects and take down massive, organized retail theft rings. The database was designed to bridge the gaps among retailers, law enforcement and prosecutors by allowing shareable, searchable information on incidents of theft statewide. Senator Moody, then Attorney General, also worked with Florida legislators to strengthen state laws against organized retail theft and help prosecutors dismantle retail theft crime rings.

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