Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) will get to appoint a replacement for Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), a choice that will force him to balance the preferences of President-elect Donald Trump with what could benefit his own political future.
After days of speculation, Rubio was nominated to become the next secretary of state on Wednesday, giving DeSantis the power to unilaterally appoint someone to fill Rubio’s vacant Senate seat. DeSantis’s choice would hold the seat until 2026, when a special election would then be held to fill the remaining two years of Rubio’s term.
DeSantis, who unsuccessfully challenged Trump in the presidential primary, could appoint himself or his wife, first lady Casey DeSantis, to the Senate post, but insiders don’t think that’s going to happen. Instead, there are a raft of senior Florida officials being eyed instead. DeSantis could also appoint a caretaker who would step aside so he could run for Senate later — in 2026.
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The governor’s chief of staff, James Uthmeier, has been floated as a front-runner for the position. If DeSantis should go this route, he wouldn’t be the first governor to fill a vacant Senate seat with a former aide.
Former Gov. Charlie Crist appointed his ex-chief of staff, George LeMieux, in 2009 but ultimately lost a subsequent Senate campaign to succeed LeMieux to Rubio.
DeSantis is term-limited from running again in 2026, so that path could allow him a chance to return to Washington ahead of a possible 2028 run for president. He previously served six years in the House.
“I have a feeling he’s going to end up doing exactly what Charlie Crist did,” said a Florida-based GOP strategist, speaking on condition of anonymity to reflect candidly on the situation.
“Let’s just say you’re DeSantis and my main competition in 2028 is J.D. Vance. I’m done in 2026 — how am I going to get oxygen in the room, particularly after I just blew all this money? He would not have the moxy to do this all over again unless he has a Senate seat,” the strategist added.
The governor is already facing some pressure from lawmakers and Trump allies on Capitol Hill to appoint Lara Trump, the president-elect’s daughter-in-law and Republican National Committee co-chair.
“She understands the America First agenda. For me, I think she would be a tremendous pick, a voice for hard-working families and another mom of school-aged kids that understands what we’re up against, and that’s to fight to protect the American dream,” said Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), speaking to Axios.
On Fox News, Lara Trump said she would “love to serve the people of Florida” when asked about the seat on Wednesday, but a source close to DeSantis said he had not received any calls from Trump himself about appointing his daughter-in-law.
“There’s a lot of encouragement behind the scenes — from the inner circle, calling on her to do it,” the source told the Washington Examiner.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, another potential candidate, stopped short of expressing interest during an interview on Fox & Friends on Wednesday. When asked what her “priorities would be as senator,” Moody sidestepped the question and spoke about her priorities “right now.”
“Last Tuesday, the American people said, ‘We are back. We are ready to take the government back on behalf of the people and really upend some of these agencies who had their own priorities in mind, these bureaucrats,’” Moody said.
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Other potential choices include Lt. Gov. Jeanette Núñez and former Florida House Speaker José Oliva.
The governor and his top aides are on a trade mission in Italy this week. A DeSantis spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.