JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Senator Marco Rubio’s nomination as Secretary of State in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration has launched widespread speculation about who might fill his Senate seat if the nomination is confirmed.
Gov. Ron DeSantis faces the critical task of appointing a successor, a decision that could shape Florida’s political future for years.
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News4JAX reported earlier this month that the person appointed to fill the Senate vacancy would not face an election until 2026. At that point, the seat would be up for election as part of the 2026 cycle, with the winner serving the remaining two years of Rubio’s term. The appointee could choose to run, but other candidates would also have the opportunity to enter the race.
Several prominent figures have emerged as potential appointees. Names frequently mentioned include Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez, Attorney General Ashley Moody, former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Jose Olive, and DeSantis’ Chief of Staff James Uthmeier, who is rumored to be eyeing the congressional seat recently vacated by Matt Gaetz.
“There’s a number of people being talked about,” said Michael Binder, Director of the Public Opinion Research Lab at the University of North Florida.
A key question is whether DeSantis will prioritize a Trump-aligned candidate or select someone closer to his political circle. Binder suggested DeSantis may lean toward a trusted confidant.
“It makes sense to appoint someone that has always been in his corner,” Binder said, adding that even appointing someone like [Trump’s daughter-in-law] Lara Trump might not resolve tensions between DeSantis and the former president. “He’s never going to win over Donald Trump. He’s always going to be on the out.”
According to The Hill, Florida Sen. Rick Scott (R) said he hopes DeSantis picks Trump’s daughter-in-law, and other Republican leaders have backed the idea.
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Some speculate DeSantis might choose a temporary placeholder to keep options open for the 2026 election. However, Binder dismissed this as unlikely.
“If you appoint somebody for two years, the expectation is they’re probably going to run again at the end of that term in 2026 and then again in 2028,” said Binder.
According to Binder, rumors that DeSantis might seek the Senate seat after his gubernatorial term ends in 2026 also seem far-fetched.
“Ron DeSantis is going to be spending a lot more time in Iowa again. I fully envision him running for President again in 2028,” Binder said.
The final decision may not come until Rubio’s resignation is imminent. Until then, speculation will dominate Florida’s political scene as observers await the choice that will shape the state’s representation in the U.S. Senate.
