Marco Rubio will soon exit the Senate. Floridians can expect new representation in early January, according to the governor. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)
Gov. Ron DeSantis will announce his choice to fill U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s seat in early January, he said Monday.
President-elect Donald Trump nominated Rubio to serve as Secretary of State in his new administration, prompting a domino effect in Florida politics.
The governor has received “strong interest from several possible candidates already” to fill the senior senator’s role and vetting has begun, he said in a social media post.
The appointee will hold Rubio’s seat until the 2026 election, then it is up to voters who will serve.
Senator Marco Rubio is expected to resign from the Senate to assume duties as Secretary of State when the Trump administration takes power on January 20th, creating a vacancy roughly two months from today.
We have already received strong interest from several possible…
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) November 18, 2024
The opening arose while DeSantis was out of the state on a weeklong trade mission to Italy.
Names to fill the senator’s seat started swirling right away, including Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump, DeSantis Chief of Staff James Uthmeier, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, and former Speaker of the Florida House José Oliva.
“Florida deserves a Senator who will help President Trump deliver on his election mandate, be strong on immigration and border security, take on the entrenched bureaucracy and administrative state, reverse the nation’s fiscal decline, be animated by conservative principles, and has a proven record of results,” DeSantis said.
Republicans secured a majority in the U.S. Senate and will hold 53 seats when Trump enters office on Jan. 20.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
U.S. House
Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd said last week that his office would have a schedule for U.S. House special elections “posted soon” to “ensure these special elections are conducted as soon as possible.”
U.S. House seats vacated by Rep. Matt Gaetz, who resigned after being named Trump’s nominee for attorney general, and Rep. Mike Waltz, nominated for national security adviser, will be up for grabs.
Gaetz’s nomination was a shock to most and prompted the 42-year-old’s resignation from the House days before the scheduled release of a congressional investigation report involving alleged sex-trafficking.
Both representatives received heavy Republican support two weeks ago, signaling the party will likely retain control of their seats following special elections. Trump’s selections have narrowed the GOP majority in the U.S. House for the time being.
Gaetz won reelection to CD 1 earlier this month by 32% against Democratic challenger Gay Valimont.
Waltz won his reelection in CD 6 by 33% over Democratic challenger James Stockton.
YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.