Marco Rubio’s Senate seat in Florida is vacant after Donald Trump nominated him for Secretary of State.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is tasked with selecting someone to fill Rubio’s seat.
And Ron DeSantis was shocked when he heard what Donald Trump told reporters about selecting Marco Rubio’s replacement in the Senate.
Even though he does not take office until January 20, Donald Trump has been busy selecting his staff and cabinet nominees for his administration.
Trump will enter the White House armed with a Republican majority in both Houses of Congress.
But he could also have a family member as a top ally in the Senate when Ron DeSantis selects Rubio’s replacement.
On Monday, DeSantis said he has started the vetting process and will make the appointment by January.
“We have already received strong interest from several possible candidates, and we continue to gather names of additional candidates and conduct preliminary vetting,” DeSantis said Monday. “More extensive vetting and candidate interviews will be conducted over the next few weeks, with a selection likely made by the beginning of January.”
According to Politico, several potential picks have been floated by DeSantis, including Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Núñez, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, and former Florida House Speaker José Oliva.
But Florida Senator Rick Scott and several key figures in the GOP are calling on DeSantis to select Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, as Rubio’s replacement.
Lara Trump stepped down as the co-chair of the Republican National Committee in November after serving in the position since March.
She played an instrumental role in taking back the White House and the Senate from Democrats in the 2024 election.
Lara expressed interest in the Senate seat after she stepped down as RNC co-chair.
“It is something I would seriously consider,” Lara Trump said.
During a press conference on Monday at Mar-a-Lago, reporters asked Donald Trump for his opinion on Lara as a Senator.
He said he did not expect DeSantis to select Lara as Rubio’s replacement.
“No, I don’t,” he said when asked by reporters.
Donald Trump then made it clear that the decision is up to Ron DeSantis and has “nothing to do with me.”
Trump even praised his former rival and told reporters he’s “doing a good job.”
“Ron’s doing a good job, and it’s his choice,” Trump said.
Even though he had no opinion of DeSantis’ choice, Donald Trump showered Lara with praise.
“But I can just speak for Lara; she is so highly respected by women,” he said. “Lara is unbelievable, she was incredible,” he continued. “The job she did at the RNC as chairman along with Michael Whatley, the combination.”
In conclusion, Trump once again said that the decision is up to Ron DeSantis, and he is confident that “he’ll make the right decision.”
Only time will tell if DeSantis selects Lara Trump or someone else as Rubio’s replacement.
But she would certainly be a top ally for Trump and his America First Agenda if selected by DeSantis.
DeSantis Daily will keep you up-to-date on any new developments in this ongoing story.
