Florida Governor’s Decision on Rubio’s Senate Seat

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Faces Crucial Decision

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is poised to make a significant appointment in the wake of the upcoming transition to the Trump administration. With outgoing Republican Senator Marco Rubio set to take on the role of Secretary of State under President-elect Trump, a vacancy will soon arise, sparking intense speculation on who will fill the position.

Potential Candidates Emerge

Governor DeSantis, who previously vied against Trump for the Republican presidential nomination, is reportedly evaluating a range of candidates for the Senate seat. According to reports from The Associated Press, one of the prominent figures in contention is Lara Trump, the president-elect’s daughter-in-law and co-chair of the Republican National Committee. Lara Trump had previously contemplated a Senate run in North Carolina but ultimately yielded her aspirations to support her father-in-law’s choice, Senator Ted Budd, in his successful campaign.

Additional names being discussed within Republican circles include:

Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody
Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner
DeSantis’s chief of staff James Uthmeier
Former state House Speaker Jose Oliva

Support for Lara Trump

Support for Lara Trump has been vocalized by several notable Republican figures, including Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who took to social media to advocate for her appointment. “We need more Republicans in Washington who actually represent the Republican Party back home and will be steadfast in their commitment to fulfill the mandate from this election—to Make America Great Again. @LaraLeaTrump is that person,” he expressed on X (formerly Twitter).

Lara Trump resides in Palm Beach County with her husband, Eric Trump, and has indicated her willingness to serve if appointed. “If I am tapped to serve in another capacity, it truly would be my honor,” she told Fox News over the weekend, adding, “I have not been asked yet, but I certainly would strongly consider it if it is presented to me.”

Political Implications of the Appointment

Experts suggest that appointing a Trump family member to the Senate could serve as a strategic move for DeSantis. This decision could potentially mend any lingering tensions with Trump and solidify support from the former president’s loyalist base as DeSantis further navigates his political future, particularly with aspirations aimed at the presidency. Moreover, this appointment could facilitate a more direct line of communication between Florida and the White House under Trump’s administration.

DeSantis on Rubio’s Replacement

Governor DeSantis has confirmed that he is presently vetting several candidates and anticipates making a final decision by early January. “Senator Marco Rubio is expected to resign from the Senate to assume duties as Secretary of State when the Trump administration takes power on January 20th, creating a vacancy roughly two months from today,” DeSantis stated on X on Monday. He emphasized the vigorous interest surrounding the position, mentioning that evaluations and interviews will proceed over the coming weeks.

In his announcement, DeSantis stated, “More extensive vetting and candidate interviews will be conducted over the next few weeks, with a selection likely made by the beginning of January. Florida deserves a Senator who will help President Trump deliver on his election mandate, be strong on immigration and border security, take on the entrenched bureaucracy and administrative state, reverse the nation’s fiscal decline, be animated by conservative principles, and has a proven record of results.”

Conclusion

The appointment of Marco Rubio’s successor is set to be a pivotal moment for Florida politics. As tensions ease between DeSantis and Trump, the choice he makes could not only shape Florida’s representation in the Senate but also change the trajectory of his own political future. As we await the official announcement in January, all eyes will be on Governor DeSantis and the candidates vying for this influential role.

Reported with contributions from Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser and The Associated Press.