Sen. Rick Scott of Florida thinks his home-state Gov. Ron DeSantis will select Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of President-elect Donald Trump, to fill the seat left by Sen. Marco Rubio, who is set to become secretary of state.
Mr. Rubio, Florida Republican, is expected to coast to confirmation, so Mr. DeSantis must appoint someone to serve until 2026 when a special election will be held to complete the final two years of Mr. Rubio’s term.
“I think he’s going to pick Lara Trump because he knows she is clearly qualified, she is someone who would be well-received in the state of Florida and somebody that could win the election when she has to run in two years,” Mr. Scott, a Republican, told NewsNation.
Ms. Trump, 42, is married to Eric Trump, the president-elect’s third child. Her appointment would solidify Mr. Trump’s grip on the GOP in Washington by having a family member on Capitol Hill.
She recently said she would “seriously consider” filling the Senate seat in Florida if she is called upon.
Other persons in contention are closer to Mr. DeSantis’s circle in Tallahassee, including Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and Mr. DeSantis’ chief of staff, James Uthmeier, all Republicans.
But Mr. Scott, Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama and other Washington Republicans are pushing Mr. DeSantis, who lost this year’s GOP primary to the president-elect, to appoint Ms. Trump.
Ms. Trump has co-chaired the Republican National Committee 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.
“I think Lara Trump is the right person to replace him,” Mr. Scott said. “I think she’ll be a great partner, so I look forward to serving with her.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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