Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Monday that he has initiated the preselection process to appoint a successor to Senator Marco Rubio, in case the Cuban-American is confirmed as Secretary of State in the administration of President-elect Donald Trump.
Rubio, who has represented Florida in the Senate since 2010, was nominated by Trump for the high diplomatic position.
If confirmed by the Senate, as per protocol, Rubio would make history by becoming the first Latino to hold this position and the highest-ranking Hispanic official in the United States government.
According to the U.S. Constitution and the laws of the state of Florida, the governor has the authority to appoint a temporary replacement for the Senate. This replacement would serve in the position until the regular elections in 2026.
In a post on the social media platform X, DeSantis indicated that he has already begun a preselection process, mentioning that he has received "great interest" from potential candidates.
"It is expected that Senator Marco Rubio will resign from the Senate to take on the role of Secretary of State when the Trump administration assumes power on January 20, creating a vacancy in about two months from today. We have already received significant interest from several potential candidates and continue to gather additional names and conduct a preliminary assessment," the governor stated on X.
He added that "in the coming weeks, more thorough evaluations and interviews will be conducted with the candidates, and it is likely that the selection will take place in early January."
"Florida deserves a senator who supports Trump's mandate, is strong on immigration and border security, and is guided by conservative principles with proven results," he stated.
Candidates under consideration
Among the names being considered are prominent figures from the Republican Party:
- Jeanette Núñez, the lieutenant governor of Florida, close to DeSantis and with leadership experience.
- Ashley Moody, the attorney general, known for her focus on legal and conservative issues.
- Lara Trumpdaughter-in-law of the elected president and co-chair of the Republican National Committee, publicly supported by Senator Rick Scott.
- Paul Renner, former President of the Florida House of Representatives.
- James Uthmeier, chief of staff for DeSantis, who could also be considered due to his close relationship with the governor.
The possibility of Lara Trump being selected has sparked a debate. Some view this option as a strategic move by DeSantis to strengthen the alliance with Trump and secure support within the Republican base.
The replacement of Rubio would alter the dynamics in the Senate, which is currently divided between 51 Republicans and 49 Democrats. The new senator would work alongside Rick Scott, who was recently reelected, at a crucial time for conservative policies on a national level.
For his part, Rubio is preparing to lead American diplomacy in a complex global landscape, with challenges in nations such as China, Cuba, and Iran.
The confirmation of his appointment is expected in the coming weeks, which would officially initiate the selection process for his successor in the Florida Senate.
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