Lara Trump steps down as co-chair of RNC amid Senate bid speculation

Lara Trump is stepping down as co-chair of the Republican National Committee amid speculation that she’s eyeing the Senate seat left open by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.

Mr. Rubio was recently nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for secretary of state, which would leave his seat needing to be filled if he is confirmed.

In a social media post Sunday, Ms. Trump called her time at the RNC the honor of her life.

“At the RNC, we had three distinct goals: 1) surpass all fundraising records 2) build the largest army of lawyers and poll watchers to ensure election integrity, and 3) turn out millions of Americans and low propensity voters during early voting. We accomplished all three,” she wrote. “The job I came to do is now complete and I intend to formally step down from the RNC at our next meeting.”

A source familiar with the discussions told The Washington Times that she was originally brought into the RNC to raise money, work on election integrity and merge the committee with the Trump campaign. Once that was all done, she felt her work was completed, and she could pursue other opportunities.

“She doesn’t know what those are yet for sure, but she said there’s no sense me taking money as a co-chair of the RNC,” the source said, adding that she said she’s keeping her options open.

By stepping down, she also allows time for someone else to campaign for the open co-chair role.

Ms. Trump’s next move remains a hot topic in political circles.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Ms. Trump said being Florida’s senator “is something I would seriously consider.”

“If I’m being completely transparent, I don’t know exactly what that would look like,” she said. “And I certainly want to get all of the information possible if that is something that’s real for me. But yeah, I would 100% consider it.”

Ms. Trump was elected RNC co-chair of the committee in March along with Chairman Michael Whatley. Mr. Trump, her father-in-law, recently praised the work she and Mr. Whatley have done and threw support behind Mr. Whatley staying on for another term.

“He is a smart, tough lawyer who put together a completely unprecedented election integrity operation that protected the Vote all across America, and a get out the vote campaign that delivered the Votes we needed in every Battleground State,” Mr. Trump wrote on social media. “Michael and Lara transformed the RNC into a lean, focused, and powerful machine that will empower the America First Agenda for many years to come.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, will choose who replaces Mr. Rubio until 2026, and then there will be a special election to finish out the term until 2028.

Ms. Trump already has the support of Sen. Rick Scott, Florida Republican. On Monday, he thanked her for her work at the RNC, “ensuring our elections are safe & getting Republicans up and down the ballot elected.”

“I’m grateful for your service and look forward to your continued success shaping the Republican Party,” he said on social media. “You’d make a fantastic FL Senator!”