What's New
Lara Trump's exit from consideration to replace GOP Florida Senator Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate has opened the contest again, leaving Florida Governor Ron DeSantis back at square one to find his pick.
Newsweek reached out by email on Sunday morning to DeSantis' office and the Trump transition team for comment.
Why It Matters
President-elect Donald Trump had backed his daughter-in-law Lara Trump to replace Rubio when he vacates his Senate seat in January. The president-elect tapped Rubio to serve as his secretary of state in his second administration, but he can only officially nominate him once he takes office.
Once Rubio vacates his seat, DeSantis will have the power to pick his replacement, who will serve until a special election in 2026, at which point the people will elect a replacement who will take over for the remaining two years of Rubio's current term, according to the Congressional Research Service (CRS).
With the GOP having a thin margin in the Senate with a three seat-advantage, the person who replaces Rubio will play a major role in helping push through the president-elect's agenda.
What To Know
Lara Trump seemed all but assured to secure the seat, but she made the surprise announcement on Saturday that she would withdraw her name from consideration without explaining what caused her to change her mind.
She had the backing of Florida Senator Rick Scott and other top Republicans, and she had even resigned from her seat as co-chair of Republican National Committee (RNC) in anticipation of the move.
"After an incredible amount of thought, contemplation, and encouragement from so many, I have decided to remove my name from consideration for the United States Senate," Lara Trump said in her statement, posted to X, formerly Twitter.
She added: "I remain incredibly passionate about public service and look forward to serving our country again sometime in the future. In the meantime, I wish Governor DeSantis the best of luck with this appointment."
She also revealed she has a "big announcement" to share in January that has her "excited."
Who To Watch
Before Lara Trump's name dominated the conversation, media had speculated on a number of possible candidates who could replace Rubio. These candidates will likely return to contention now that DeSantis has an open slate to consider.
Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Núñez had the momentum behind her when the conversation started in November, with many outlets and officials pointing to her as the most likely candidate to succeed Rubio, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.
As a Miami local, she echoes Rubio in a number of ways, including a significant focus on international relations—she majored in the subject and has a master's degree in public administration.
Having served in the Florida House of Representatives, her political career stretches back 14 years, with four years in the lieutenant governor role, which she secured through election twice.
One name that was not a realistic possibility in November was former GOP Florida Representative Matt Gaetz, whom President-elect Trump had tapped for U.S. attorney general. Gaetz backed out of the nomination as the media frenzy around a House ethics report that was set to be released into allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use reached a fever pitch.
Gaetz, who has denied the allegations, resigned from his post just two days before the report's release, with many suggesting he had done so in an effort to prevent it from going public, which will happen this week after the House Ethics Committee changed course. Two Republicans voted with Democrats on the committee to pass the measure, with a majority of the 10-member group.
However, Gaetz had won reelection already and could return to his seat – if he doesn't have a change in ambition.
At the Turning Point Action conference AmericaFest on Sunday, Gaetz floated the idea that he could pursue Rubio's open Senate seat, saying, "My fellow Floridians have asked me to eye the governor's mansion in Tallahassee. Maybe, special counsel to go after the insider trading from my former colleagues in Congress."
"It may seem I may have not had enough support in the United States Senate, maybe I'll just run for Marco Rubio's vacant seat in the United States Senate and join some of those folk," he added, noting that returning to the House remains a distinct possibility.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody also presents an attractive option for DeSantis, boasting a strong legal background as a judge for 13 years before she took over her current post.
Another Florida native, Moody also spent time with the United States Attorney's Office prosecuting drug, firearm and fraud offenses. Her breadth and depth of legal experience will make her an attractive option, but the Tallahassee Democrat has noted her strong loyalty to DeSantis, mirroring his stances on abortion and weed legalization.
Should DeSantis pick her, it would possibly play into a power dynamic struggle between DeSantis and Trump and provide an indication as to where the two stand ahead of a possible 2028 DeSantis presidential bid.
CBS News reporter Jim DeFede in November said that he had heard from "multiple Republican sources" that DeSantis' chief of staff James Uthmeier topped the list for many in the party to fill Rubio's Senate seat until a special election, acting as a placeholder until DeSantis ends his current term and possibly pursues the seat himself.
Uthmeier also served in the U.S. Department of Commerce during the first Trump administration as senior counsel to the General Counsel within the department. With DeSantis, he has also served as deputy general counsel and general counsel before taking over his current role.
What People Are Saying
Conservative pundit Bill Kristol teased the president-elect over a tough week, writing on X, "House Republicans don't give Trump what he wants—a debt limit extension. DeSantis doesn't give Trump what he wants—a Senate seat to Lara Trump. Already feeling a little lame-ducky?"
What Happens Next
While it remains unclear if DeSantis had seriously considered Lara Trump to replace Rubio, he will now need another pick anyway. He has until Rubio resigns from his seat, which is likely to happen in January after Trump takes office and officially names his nominees for the Cabinet.
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