TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Gov. Ron DeSantis has a big decision to make if Sen. Marco Rubio is confirmed as the next Secretary of State. There’s already speculation about who might want to be appointed to the seat.
Florida GOP Chair Evan Power said it’s not a seat he is after, but he has a list of names who he feels would be good options.
“The governor himself, his name is in the mix," Power said. "You also have Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, or Attorney General Ashley Moody. I've heard all those names. Lara Trump's name has surfaced."
Lara Trump is the president-elect’s daughter-in-law and current co-chair of the RNC. The Hill reports that Mrs. Trump has expressed interest in being appointed but also admits she has not had a conversation about it. The Hill also mentioned Sen. Rick Scott has expressed his support for Lara Trump being appointed to the seat.
St. Pete College Political Expert Tara Newsom said after Rubio likely becomes fourth in line of succession, the governor has to be strategic on his selection to replace that seat.
“We know that Gov. DeSantis has somewhat of a tumultuous relationship with Susie Wiles, the president's chief of staff. She's from Florida, of course," Newsom said. "It's interesting to see how that will unfold in how Gov. DeSantis appoints Marco Rubio's replacement."
Wiles initially worked for DeSantis during his first run for governor, then there was a falling out. Wiles has been working with President-elect Donald Trump for years now. DeSantis also ran a presidential primary campaign against Donald Trump and other GOP hopefuls.
Newsom said the person appointed to the senate seat could impact the governor's political future.
“I think we have to really look at the calculus for Gov. DeSantis," Newsom said. "Does it do him any good to go ahead and put like a Lara Trump in that mix, if he already doesn't have favor with the Trump White House, or would he be better served at putting himself or even his wife in."
Regardless, Newsom said there's no guarantee the interim senator will win over voters, if they decide to run for election.
“Nine governors in the past have put someone in place of the U.S. Senate seat, but only one has been able to secure that seat for themselves once a special election happens,” Newsom said.
Newsom expects a decision before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.