Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has congratulated his fellow Sunshine State lawmakers following their selection to serve in President-elect Donald Trump's next administration and issued an update on special elections that will take place to replace them.
"Congratulations to the Floridians being appointed to key positions in the Trump Administration: Senator Marco Rubio, Congressman Matt Gaetz, and Congressman Mike Waltz," DeSantis said posted to X, formerly Twitter on Thursday.
"I've instructed Secretary of State Cord Byrd to formulate and announce a schedule for the upcoming special elections immediately."
Newsweek has contacted DeSantis' office for additional information via email.
Congratulations to the Floridians being appointed to key positions in the Trump Administration: Senator Marco Rubio, Congressman Matt Gaetz, and Congressman Mike Waltz.
I've instructed Secretary of State Cord Byrd to formulate and announce a schedule for the upcoming special…
Rubio has been picked to serve as Trump's secretary of state, but this would create a Senate vacancy in Florida. In the Sunshine State, the governor appoints an interim replacement for vacant Senate seats.
This appointee can serve until a special election is held—usually around the time of the next general election.
Waltz, a retired Green Beret and National Guard colonel representing Florida's Sixth Congressional District has been asked by Trump to serve as national security adviser.
Trump has also selected Gaetz to serve as attorney general, in a shock pick that has sparked concern even from some Republicans.
Nebraska GOP Congressman Don Bacon told Punchbowl's Melanie Zanona: "I've got no good comment," and Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins told Punchbowl News reporter Max Cohen she was "shocked" at the nomination of Gaetz.
As for the state's vacant House seats, dates will be set for a special primary and general election, and voters will decide who replaces Waltz and Gaetz.
"Matt is a deeply gifted and tenacious attorney, trained at the William & Mary College of Law, who has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.
"Few issues in America are more important than ending the partisan Weaponization of our Justice System. Matt will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans' badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department."
Trump has transitioned right into nominating Cabinet positions since his election victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. The former—and now future—president told podcaster and standup comedian Joe Rogan his biggest mistake during his first term was trusting "bad or disloyal people," pointing to former White House chief of staff John Kelly and national security adviser John Bolton as examples.
Among Trump's other new selections are:
Tulsi Gabbard: Director of national intelligence
Pete Hegseth: Secretary of Defense
Kristi Noem: Secretary of Homeland Security
Susie Wiles: White House chief of staff
Tom Homan: "Border Czar"
Elise Stefanik: U.N. Ambassador
Stephen Miller: Deputy chief of staff for policy
Lee Zeldin: Secretary of the Environmental Protection Agency
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