Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is still holding off on announcing his pick to replace Marco Rubio as the next U.S. Senator for Florida as he moves to become the next secretary of state.
DeSantis' team is still analyzing its options and won't communicate its decision for at least a month, according to a new report by NBC News, which quoted five people familiar with the process.
"The governor will be conducting a thorough vetting process and interview process in December that will involve several candidates," a DeSantis adviser told the outlet, adding that the governor is "not in a hurry to make an important decision."
However, there does seem to be a strategic decision made. While some expected DeSantis to appoint a placeholder and run for the Senate himself in 2026 ahead of a likely 2028 presidential bid, that will likely not be the case. Two sources told NBC News he probably won't make that decision or appoint himself for the post.
In that scenario, there already seems to be a shortlist, with Lara Trump, the president-elect's daughter-in-law, mounting a public bid for the seat. "If I am able to serve, I would love to serve the people of Florida," Trump said earlier this month.
"This is my home state now and has been for three years. This is where Eric and I live and truly to have that opportunity, I think would be incredible, and no one knows better than I do the America first agenda or the goals of Donald Trump and the coming four years. So, if I am asked, I would love to consider it, but I have yet to have a conversation with Governor DeSantis," she added.
NBC News explained that President-elect Trump has not weighed in directly, but some of his top supporters have publicly supported her. According to Axios, Rick Scott, the other Florida Senator, spoke with Trump about her interest and is now pushing for her selection. "I hope that's exactly who (Governor Ron DeSantis) picks," he told the outlet, adding that she "did a great job with the RNC. She's a great spokesperson. She's conservative." His endorsement now joins those of Sen. Kattie Britt from Alabama and Rep. Anna Paulina from Florida.
Ashley Moody, the Florida attorney general, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, first lady Casey DeSantis and Chief of Staff James Uthmeier are the other names that have been floated as possible replacements of Rubio.
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