DeSantis sets qualifiers for Rubio Replacement in the Senate

Almost immediately after winning the election, Donald Trump named Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) as his pick for Secretary of State.

This means that Governor DeSantis will have to appoint a replacement for Rubio, and Trump’s camp may not like his stipulations.

Lara Trump Interested

After Rubio was named, Lara Trump immediately threw her name into the hat.

Lara stated that, with the experience she gained from being the RNC co-chair with Michael Whatley, she would like to continue serving in government, and Rubio’s seat was a perfect opportunity.

Now, remember, Donald Trump’s campaign and his surrogates ruthlessly attacked DeSantis during the campaign, accusing DeSantis of having relations with students, mocking his military career, accusing his wife of being a lesbian, and even doubting her cancer diagnosis.

Lara Trump’s only experience is only a few months as the RNC chair, and they would be asking a favor from DeSantis, so this gets really interesting.

DeSantis Sets Timetable for Appointment

After the Rubio appointment was announced, DeSantis immediately came out to set a timetable for the replacement picks and special elections for vacated seats.

He stated, "Senator Marco Rubio is expected to resign from the Senate to assume duties as Secretary of State when the Trump administration takes power on January 20th, creating a vacancy roughly two months from today.”

He added, "We have already received strong interest from several possible candidates, and we continue to gather names of additional candidates and conduct preliminary vetting. More extensive vetting and candidate interviews will be conducted over the next few weeks, with a selection likely made by the beginning of January."

DeSantis also posted on X, “Florida deserves a Senator who will help President[-elect Donald] Trump deliver on his election mandate, be strong on immigration and border security, take on the entrenched bureaucracy and administrative state, reverse the nation’s fiscal decline, be animated by conservative principles, and has a proven record of results.”

Will Lara Qualify

Now, according to Lara Trump, she fits the bill for what DeSantis is demanding of the replacement.

She stated, “I’ve been a Florida resident for three and a half years, and I’ve been really honored to serve as co-Chair of the RNC throughout the duration of this campaign. And so listen, if I’m asked to serve in the capacity of the United States Senate, it’s something I would consider.”

I am not sure DeSantis would consider that a proven record of success. Furthermore, if Lara Trump gets this seat, she is likely to be considered for the GOP presidential primary race in 2028, and I would imagine that DeSantis has his eyes set on that as well. I am not ruling out Lara Trump getting this appointment, but if she does, you better believe there are some backroom concessions being made to DeSantis for the nod.