DeSantis Deliberates Senate Replacement as Rubio Prepares for Secretary of State Role

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to announce his pick for Marco Rubio's Senate seat by Trump's inauguration, with Attorney General Ashley Moody reportedly a leading contender.

Senator Marco Rubio is set to leave his Senate seat to join President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet as Secretary of State, pending Senate confirmation.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will appoint Rubio's replacement to serve until a special election in 2026, with the next full-term election scheduled for 2028.
Ashley Moody, Florida's Attorney General, is widely reported as DeSantis' top choice for the appointment due to her alignment with DeSantis and Trump on key issues, though no decision has been finalized.
Other potential candidates reportedly include Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, State Sen. Jay Collins, U.S. Rep. Cory Mills, and DeSantis' Chief of Staff James Uthmeier.
DeSantis has emphasized the importance of selecting a candidate who is strong on immigration enforcement and reducing federal bureaucracy, aligning with Trump's agenda.