Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is being considered for the position of secretary of state by President-elect Donald Trump. If Rubio is appointed, there is already pressure on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to select Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of the president-elect, to fill Rubio's Senate seat.
Alabama Republican Sen. Katie Britt and Florida GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna have both expressed support for Lara Trump to be nominated as Rubio's replacement. Sources close to Governor DeSantis have confirmed that there is a campaign urging him to choose Lara Trump for the Senate seat, although it remains uncertain if he will comply with the pressure.
DeSantis and Trump have had a complicated relationship, with tensions escalating during the GOP presidential primary. Despite DeSantis assisting in fundraising for Trump, their differing stances on various issues have caused friction between them.
During the summer, when Rubio was being considered for vice president by Trump, DeSantis' chief of staff, James Uthmeier, was reportedly a top contender for the Senate seat. Under Florida law, the individual chosen by Governor DeSantis would hold the Senate position until the next statewide election in 2026.
According to the US Constitution, a senator must be a resident of the state they represent. Lara and Eric Trump recently purchased a home in Jupiter, Florida, which could potentially fulfill the residency requirement if Lara Trump is selected to fill the Senate seat.
