As Florida Governor Ron DeSantis prepares to fill the Senate seat vacated by Marco Rubio’s nomination to Secretary of State in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, speculation mounts over his choice. DeSantis is taking his time with the decision, planning a thorough vetting process throughout December, with a final pick expected by January.
Although some have suggested DeSantis could appoint himself to the seat, sources close to him say this is unlikely, and he is not seeking the position. The governor faces growing pressure from Trump’s allies, who are pushing for Lara Trump, the president-elect’s daughter-in-law, to be appointed. However, DeSantis is weighing this decision carefully, knowing it could affect his future presidential ambitions.
A shortlist of potential candidates includes key DeSantis allies, such as Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, Attorney General Ashley Moody, and DeSantis’ chief of staff James Uthmeier. However, DeSantis is not considering Florida’s current congressional delegation, as doing so could risk the fragile Republican majority in the House.
The decision is seen as a pivotal moment in DeSantis’ political career, balancing the need to maintain a strong relationship with Trump while positioning himself for future runs in 2028.
