Tallahassee, FL - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is preparing to appoint a new U.S. senator if Senator Marco Rubio is confirmed as President-elect Donald Trump’s Secretary of State.
Sen. Rubio’s potential departure from the Senate has prompted DeSantis to begin vetting candidates, with the governor stating that Florida needs a senator who will support Trump’s policies on immigration, border security, and fiscal reform.
DeSantis posted on X, “Florida deserves a Senator who will help President Trump deliver on his election mandate and be animated by conservative principles.”
Among the names being considered are prominent Florida Republicans, including Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, Attorney General Ashley Moody, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, and Lara Trump, the president-elect’s daughter-in-law and Republican National Committee co-chair.
Lara Trump, who resides in Palm Beach County, has expressed her willingness to serve. “I have not been asked yet, but I certainly would strongly consider it if it is presented to me,” she said during a Fox News interview.
The possibility of appointing a member of Trump’s family has garnered support from figures like Florida Sen. Rick Scott, who endorsed Lara Trump on social media.
Political analysts suggest such a move could strengthen DeSantis’s ties to Trump’s base and the incoming administration, potentially boosting his own political ambitions.
If confirmed as Secretary of State, Rubio’s appointed replacement would serve until the next regularly scheduled election in 2026. DeSantis has noted that his decision will follow extensive vetting and interviews in the coming weeks.