Trump’s Expected Nomination of Marco Rubio as Secretary of State Could Spark Senate Shuffle in Florida

With reports indicating that President-elect Donald Trump may tap Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, Florida could soon see a political reshuffling that opens up a U.S. Senate seat. If Rubio is nominated and confirmed, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis would be responsible for appointing a temporary replacement for Rubio’s seat, potentially positioning the new appointee to run in a 2026 special election.

This situation has historical echoes. In 2008, after President Barack Obama’s election, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich famously saw the power to fill Obama’s vacated Senate seat as a golden opportunity. In a recorded conversation, Blagojevich stated, “I’ve got this thing, and it’s (bleeping) golden… I’m just not giving it up for (bleeping) nothing.” His corruption ultimately led to a prison sentence, later commuted by Trump in 2020, told The New York Times.

If Rubio accepts the Secretary of State role, DeSantis has several options. Since Rubio’s current term ends in 2028, DeSantis could appoint an interim senator who would hold the seat until a special election in 2026. Should DeSantis himself have an interest in the Senate seat, he may consider appointing a “placeholder” who could step aside at that time, allowing DeSantis to run for the position as he concludes his term as governor.

Among potential appointees, DeSantis’s chief of staff, James Uthmeier, has emerged as a leading option, according to CBS News. Uthmeier could serve as a caretaker until 2026, giving DeSantis an open pathway to the Senate seat at that time. DeSantis could also consider appointing his lieutenant governor, Jeanette Núñez. Another option, though unconventional, would involve DeSantis stepping down from the governorship, allowing Núñez to become governor and appoint DeSantis directly to the Senate seat.

Another name circulating is DeSantis’s wife, Casey DeSantis. Known for her involvement in state initiatives and her popularity among Floridians, Casey DeSantis has been a strong public figure. Her appointment would offer a highly visible and popular choice, though it would be an unconventional step that could face scrutiny.

Meanwhile, prominent Trump allies are eyeing the seat as well. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) has openly advocated for Lara Trump, wife of Trump’s son Eric Trump, as a potential replacement. Britt’s endorsement signals that key figures in Trump’s orbit may support a Trump family member for the Senate seat, a move that would keep the seat closely tied to Trump’s influence, Axios reports.

Lara Trump, who recently became co-chair of the Republican National Committee, has previously been rumored to have Senate aspirations and has deep roots in Trump’s political machinery. Before her involvement in politics, Lara Trump was a producer for Inside Edition and worked on Trump’s 2020 campaign. Although she has no formal government experience, her alignment with Trump’s base could energize support among his followers in Florida.

Speculation abounds on how much control DeSantis truly holds over the appointment. Talking Points Memo founder Josh Marshall hints that the decision could be as much about Trump’s broader strategic plans as it is about finding a fit for the Secretary of State role. “I think too,” Marshall suggests, “people are overlooking the distinct possibility that Rubio’s [appointment] is less about giving him [Secretary of] State than giving someone else his Senate seat.”

As political insiders and pundits watch Trump’s impending decision, the potential appointment of Rubio to Secretary of State opens the door to complex political maneuvers. Whether DeSantis appoints an ally, opts for a placeholder, or aligns with Trump’s inner circle by selecting Lara Trump, his choice will carry significant implications for Florida’s political landscape and Trump’s influence within the state.