DeSantis vetting Senate candidates to fill Rubio seat, says decision by early January

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday said he’s evaluating who will replace Sen. Marco Rubio if he’s confirmed as President-elect Donald Trump’s secretary of state, and he said he expects to choose by early January. 

Mr. Rubio, Florida Republican, is likely to receive the Senate’s approval since he’s generally well-liked and respected among his colleagues. His nomination has already won praise among Democrats, indicating bipartisan support.

Assuming he’s confirmed quickly, Mr. Rubio is expected to resign from the Senate to assume his new role when the Trump administration takes power on Jan. 20, Mr. DeSantis posted on X. That gives the governor two months to decide on Mr. Rubio’s Senate replacement. 

“We have already received strong interest from several possible candidates, and we continue to gather names of additional candidates and conduct preliminary vetting,” Mr. DeSantis said. “More extensive vetting and candidate interviews will be conducted over the next few weeks, with a selection likely made by the beginning of January.”

One of the top names floated is Lara Trump, co-chair of the Republican National Committee and the president-elect’s daughter-in-law. 

“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’ “Mornings with Maria” last week. 

Mr. DeSantis didn’t name any of the potential candidates. Other possibilities include Mr. DeSantis’ chief of staff, James Uthmeier, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, outgoing Florida House Speaker Paul Renner and former state House Speaker Jose Oliva, according to the Miami Herald.

Mr. DeSantis’ choice would serve in the Senate until 2026, when a special election will be held to complete the final two years of Mr. Rubio’s term.

Mr. DeSantis didn’t tip his hand but said, “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.”