Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump said Thursday she would “seriously consider” filling the seat left vacant by Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida if he joins President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet.
Mr. Trump wants Mr. Rubio, a Republican, to serve as secretary of state. His confirmation would leave a vacancy in the Senate that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis must fill.
“If this is something I’m asked to do, I would seriously consider it. But, I have yet to hear from Gov. DeSantis. So, we’ll see what happens,” Ms. Trump said on FOX Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria.”
Ms. Trump, 42, is the president-elect’s daughter-in-law. She is married to Eric Trump, the president-elect’s third child.
Sen. Katie Britt, Alabama Republican, called for Ms. Trump to fill the likely vacancy, saying she understands the “America First” agenda.
Ms. Trump’s appointment would solidify Mr. Trump’s grip on the GOP in Washington by having a family member on Capitol Hill.
Ms. Trump said she has enjoyed her RNC experience, but she “would love to be able to go forward and do more.”
“I was so humbled and honored to even be considered for this. I know my name has been thrown out there a lot,” Ms. Trump said.
The situation presents Mr. DeSantis, who lost the GOP presidential primary to Mr. Trump, with an interesting choice.
If Mr. Rubio vacates the seat, the governor is tasked with appointing someone to serve until 2026, when a special election will be held to complete the final two years of Mr. Rubio’s term.
The Tallahassee Democrat reports that other persons in contention include Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and Mr. DeSantis’ chief of staff, James Uthmeier, all Republicans.
Ms. Trump has co-chaired the RNC since March. In 2021, there was speculation that she would run for a Senate seat in North Carolina, but she eventually declined to seek the post.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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