Marina Lacerda, a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, has launched an ad campaign criticizing Florida Senator Ashley Moody for her vote against a measure to release documents regarding Epstein’s activities. In the ad, Lacerda, 38, recounts her encounter with Epstein at the age of 13 and questions Moody’s priorities, asking, “Ashley Moody, whose side are you on?”
The ad criticizes Moody for allegedly putting her political career ahead of the welfare of abuse survivors. It is part of a larger trend in the midterm campaign season, as candidates across the country face scrutiny over their connections to Epstein. According to AdImpact, a media tracking firm, mentions of Epstein in campaign ads have appeared in 63 congressional races this year, amounting to a total expenditure of $76 million.
Moody, who has remained largely silent on matters related to Epstein since her appointment to the Senate in January 2025, is running against Democratic state representative Angie Nixon in the upcoming election. Her avoidance of public commentary on Epstein contrasts with the scrutiny other elected officials, including former President Donald Trump, have faced regarding their ties to the convicted sex offender.
Lacerda’s ad highlights the ongoing debate over the release of Epstein’s files, which has drawn bipartisan attention. In September 2025, Moody and 50 other Republican senators blocked an attempt to force a vote on releasing these files, with the issue resurfacing two months later when the Senate agreed to the bill by unanimous consent after it had passed the House nearly unanimously.
The ad specifically claims that Moody cast the deciding vote against the release of Epstein’s files. However, this assertion has been contested; a spokesperson from the National Republican Senatorial Committee described the ad as “false” and an attempt to “slander Ashley Moody’s indisputable record of fighting and delivering for sexual assault survivors.”
Supporters of the ad, including lawyer and former legislator Steve Pajcic, argue that Moody’s actions demonstrate a lack of support for abuse survivors. While Moody’s office stated that she supported the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, her spokesman did not address whether she had ever engaged with victims of Epstein directly.
The ad campaign comes alongside efforts from Democratic Representative Kathy Castor, who criticized Moody’s inaction on Epstein-related matters, highlighting the disconnect between her role as a supporter of anti-human trafficking initiatives and her lack of public statements regarding Epstein. Castor hosted a public event featuring a truck filled with documents released by the Justice Department, aimed at raising awareness about the abuse survivors.
As the election approaches, calls for transparency and accountability regarding Epstein’s crimes continue to resonate, reflecting a significant aspect of the political landscape in Florida and the ongoing fight for justice among survivors.
