TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — President Donald Trump's pick for Secretary of State could have a ripple effect on Florida's political scene, giving Gov. Ron DeSantis the power of who to choose.
In the state of Florida, the governor has the ability to appoint a temporary successor with no restrictions, if needed.
President-elect Donald Trump is expected to name Senator Marco Rubio as secretary of state, NBC News reported.
While this is considered a premature topic, Politico and NBC News reported on possible senate candidates to fill Senator Marco Rubio's position back when he was rumored to be the vice-presidential pick for President Donald Trump.
Some of the names included Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Chief of Staff James Uthmeier, former house speaker Jose Oliva, and most notably, his wife Casey DeSantis. DeSantis could even pick himself to fill the seat.
Political analyst Tara Newsom shared her insights adding chief financial officer of the state, Jimmy Patronis, to the list of possible candidates.
"The Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis, was all over Florida during the last two hurricanes, and he was really the face of Florida's response and was a great bridge builder between federal resources to citizens of Florida. And so, of course, his leadership was on display," Newsom said. "I think Floridians support him. He clearly was flexing that he could make things happen and that he knows how to work with the federal government."
Newsom also added Former Attorney General Pam Bondi, who used to have a very close relationship with Donald Trump, to the list of potentials.
"I think all eyes are going to be watching DeSantis," Newsom said. "Whether his independent streak is going to allow him to catapult his career to the national landscape."
Newsom added no matter the "possible picks," the public can't underestimate the power of Trump in this selection.
“To have chief of Staff Susie Wiles, to have Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to have Representative Waltz, we're just racking up power positions in Trump's new White House. And it could be good for Floridians," said Newsom. "It also could mean that much of the focus on our home state is going to be distracted onto the national scale."
This will be one of those times where DeSantis could decide to go rogue and go against what Trump advises. WFLA reached out to the Governor's office but haven't heard back yet.