Governor Ron DeSantis may soon be faced with an important decision if Senator Marco Rubio is appointed as the Secretary of State in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. Although the appointment has not been finalized, if confirmed, it would leave a vacancy in the U.S. Senate that DeSantis would have the opportunity to fill.
This decision comes at a crucial time for DeSantis, who previously ran for the GOP nomination against Trump in 2024 and faced defeat. The appointee would serve until 2026, after which a special election would determine who finishes the remaining two years of Rubio’s term. DeSantis could choose a candidate who may aim for the seat in the 2026 election or a temporary appointee as he considers a potential run for the presidency in 2028.
Notable names being mentioned for the position include Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Núñez, Attorney General Ashley Moody, and DeSantis’s Chief of Staff James Uthmeier. Each candidate brings their own qualifications: Núñez, with her Cuban-American heritage from Miami, shares similar roots with Rubio; Moody has demonstrated her loyalty to DeSantis; and Uthmeier recently played a key role in opposing ballot measures related to marijuana legalization and abortion rights.
Interestingly, there is speculation regarding whether DeSantis could appoint himself or his wife, Casey, to the Senate seat. However, DeSantis has hinted at a preference for state leadership over returning to Congress, often joking about “recovering” from his previous congressional stint.
As the political landscape shifts, there may also be external pressures influencing DeSantis’s decision, particularly from Trump and his supporters. Some have suggested naming Lara Trump, who resides in Florida and serves as co-chair of the Republican National Committee, as a potential replacement for Rubio, with representatives like Anna Paulina Luna advocating for her candidacy to ensure the seat remains strong in the GOP.
Reflecting back to 2016, DeSantis had previously sought Rubio’s Senate seat when Rubio was contemplating a presidential run. Ultimately, those ambitions directed DeSantis to pursue re-election for his House seat instead.
Florida’s history shows that it has been over a decade since a sitting governor appointed someone to a Senate vacancy, with the last instance occurring in 2009 when Governor Charlie Crist selected George LeMieux to fill Senator Mel Martinez’s position. Crist later faced Rubio in a heated contest in 2010 after leaving the Republican Party.
Currently, DeSantis is abroad on a trade mission in Italy, but upon his return he will face the task of addressing a potential Senate vacancy along with the prospect of calling a special election for U.S. Representative Mike Waltz’s position, should Waltz accept Trump’s offer to become National Security Advisor.
This unfolding scenario showcases a pivotal moment for both DeSantis and the Florida political landscape. The outcome could influence not only the immediate political scene but also set the stage for future campaigns and elections, particularly with eyes on the 2028 presidential race.
With this development, Floridians are reminded of the ever-changing dynamics in politics and the importance of strategic leadership during transitional periods.