Florida Governor Ron DeSantis must appoint a replacement for retiring Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who was appointed by President-elect Trump as Secretary of State in his new administration.

The Republican governor, who once ran against Trump in the 2024 election, is reportedly considering several options. Among the contenders suggested by party members, according to The Associated Press, is the president-elect’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, who co-chairs the Republican National Committee. Lara Trump previously considered running for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina, where she grew up, but gave way to her father-in-law to ultimately support Sen. Tedd Budd’s successful 2022 bid for the House.

Other names mentioned by Republicans include Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, DeSantis chief of staff James Uthmeier and former state House Speaker Jose Oliva.

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., is among those who have expressed support for Lara Trump on social media.

DESANTIS SETS TIMETABLE FOR APPOINTING RUBIO’S SUCCESSOR TO SENATE AGAINST CALLS FOR A TRUMP TO FILL SEAT

Senator Marco Rubio has been named secretary of state in the next Trump administration. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

“We need more Republicans in Washington who will truly represent the Republican Party at home and be steadfast in their commitment to fulfill the mandate of this election – to Make America Great Again. @LaraLeaTrump is that person,” said Scott, who unsuccessfully ran for Senate. majority leader last week, wrote on X.

Lara Trump lives in Palm Beach County with her husband, Eric Trump.

Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Katie Britt of Alabama, as well as Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, have also expressed support for Lara Trump as Rubio’s replacement in recent days.

“If I were asked to serve in any other capacity, it would truly be my honor,” Lara Trump told Fox News this weekend. “I haven’t been asked yet, but I would certainly strongly consider it if it were presented to me.”

Some Republican politicians say appointing a member of the president-elect’s family to the Senate is a way for DeSantis to curry favor with his former rival for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination and score a victory in Trump’s devoted supporters as the governor ponders his own political future. , according to the Associated Press. The choice could also give Florida another direct line to the Trump White House.

Lara Trump and Eric Trump speak during the campaign rally for Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden on October 27, 2024 in New York City. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

TRUMP NOMINATES MARCO RUBIO AS SECRETARY OF STATE

DeSantis, a former Trump ally who clashed with the former president last year and early this year during a highly contentious 2024 Republican Party nomination race, somewhat repaired relations with the former president after the primaries. He supported Trump and helped raise money for the Republican candidate’s general election campaign.

DeSantis said Monday that he was vetting several prospects and would likely make a decision on Rubio’s replacement in early January.

“Senator Marco Rubio is expected to resign from the Senate to assume duties as Secretary of State when the Trump Administration takes office on January 20, leaving a vacancy approximately two months from today,” wrote DeSantis Monday on

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is exploring possible replacements for Senator Marco Rubio. (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

“More extensive screening and candidate interviews will take place in the coming weeks, with selection likely to take place in early January,” he wrote. “Florida deserves a senator who will help President Trump deliver on his electoral mandate, be strong on immigration and border security, take on the entrenched bureaucracy and administrative state, reverse the nation’s budget decline, inspire is guided by conservative principles and has a proven track record. of results.”

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Under the U.S. Constitution and state law, the governor has the power to fill vacancies in the U.S. Senate, while voters decide who should fill vacancies in the U.S. House of Representatives. Should Rubio be confirmed, his replacement would serve for two years until the next regularly scheduled election in 2026, at which time the seat would be up for re-election.

Paul Steinhauser of Fox News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.