DeSantis Begins Search for Rubio's Senate Replacement

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is preparing to appoint a successor for Senator Marco Rubio, who is set to resign to become Secretary of State under President-elect Donald Trump. DeSantis announced that he has received strong interest from multiple candidates and is currently conducting preliminary vetting, with a decision expected by early January 2025. Among the leading contenders are Lara Trump, Florida's Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez, Attorney General Ashley Moody, and former Florida House Speaker Jose Oliva. Support for Lara Trump has been vocal from several prominent Republicans, including Senator Rick Scott, who praised her as a representative of the party's values. DeSantis emphasized that the new appointee should align with Trump's agenda and have a strong conservative background. The selected individual will serve until a special election in 2026 to fill the remainder of Rubio's term, which ends in 2028.