A power struggle is currently playing out between President-elect Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s political aspirations. This conflict was sparked by Trump’s nomination of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) for secretary of State, which led to Lara Trump, his daughter-in-law and Republican National Committee co-chair, positioning herself as his potential replacement.
DeSantis now faces the task of appointing someone to fill Rubio’s seat for the next two years, after Rubio secured his third reelection in November 2022. In 2026, a special election will determine who finishes Rubio’s term, and a new senator will be elected in 2028 for a six-year term.
DeSantis confronts post-presidential bid challenges with a pivotal Senate appointment
The importance of this appointment cannot be overstated. Florida, now a stronghold of GOP power, played a crucial role in Trump’s victory, as he won the state by a significant margin in 2024. The senator DeSantis selects could become a powerful figure in the Republican Party, and as an incumbent, the appointed senator would have a high chance of winning the 2026 special election and securing a full term in 2028.
For DeSantis, this decision is a critical one. His presidential bid ended in failure, leaving him with the looming question of his political future once he exits the governor’s office in early 2027. The Senate appointment could offer him a path to remain relevant, whether he bides his time for another presidential run or explores other high-profile roles.
This situation sets the stage for Lara Trump to make a move. After Trump’s nomination of Rubio, she has made it clear that she aspires to hold the title of “Senator Trump.” With her strong political momentum from co-chairing the RNC, Lara has positioned herself as a viable candidate, securing numerous endorsements from key figures like Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.).
Adding weight to her candidacy, Donald Trump Jr. also expressed support for his sister-in-law, and Sen. Scott confidently predicted she would be the pick for the Senate seat. The pressure is on DeSantis, who must navigate the loyalty demands from Trump’s camp, particularly after DeSantis’s unsuccessful presidential bid.
Lara’s potential appointment would serve as a placeholder until the 2026 special election, and her victory in both 2026 and 2028 seems likely, given Florida’s political landscape. Additionally, she could be Trump’s representative in the Senate, ensuring alignment with his agenda and helping to monitor loyalty among Republicans in the Senate.
The scrutiny surrounding DeSantis’s decision continues to grow. On November 18, he stated that he would announce his pick in January, outlining criteria that would align with Trump’s mandate on immigration, fiscal policy, and conservative principles. However, these remarks seemed to suggest DeSantis may be positioning himself for the Senate seat, a risky move given the history of governors who’ve tried to appoint themselves but failed.
DeSantis could also choose a bold path by resigning and letting Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez appoint him to the Senate seat, or he could opt for a more family-centric approach by appointing his wife, Casey, as the interim senator. This strategy would allow DeSantis to continue building his Senate campaign while maintaining his position as governor.
Amid these options, DeSantis faces intense pressure from Trump’s allies, who view his presidential run as an act of disloyalty. The pressure to appoint Lara Trump reflects this broader struggle over loyalty and political survival. According to a Trump insider, DeSantis’s political future is in jeopardy due to his disloyalty, and appointing Lara would be a way for DeSantis to redeem himself.
DeSantis is at a crossroads, with a choice between prioritizing his own political future or yielding to the demands of Trump’s camp, which is urging him to demonstrate loyalty by appointing Lara Trump.
