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Topline A growing coalition of President-elect Donald Trump’s allies are backing his daughter-in-law Lara Trump to replace Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., if he’s confirmed as Secretary of State—with the state’s other Republican senator, Rick Scott, endorsing her for the role on Thursday.
Key Facts Crucial Quote “If I were tapped for this, serving my home state now of Florida, it’s a great honor and a great responsibility,” Lara Trump told Fox Business on Thursday. “If this is something I am asked to do, I would seriously consider it,” she said, adding that she has not been contacted by DeSantis. What To Watch For If Rubio is confirmed for Secretary of State by the Senate, DeSantis would be responsible for selecting his replacement until the 2026 election, when voters would choose who serves out the remainder of Rubio’s term through 2028.
DeSantis’ chief of staff James Uthmeier and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody are among the other names commonly floated as potential replacements for Rubio. Key Background Lara Trump, who is married to Trump’s middle son, Eric Trump, was elected RNC co-chair in March, alongside Trump ally Michael Whatley after Trump effectively clinched the GOP nomination for president. The pair replaced former chair Ronna McDaniel, who announced in February she was stepping aside after Trump publicly criticized her on numerous occasions.
A former TV producer and Fox News contributor, Lara Trump’s political profile is bolstered by Republicans’ success in the 2024 election after they retook control of the Senate and White House and maintained control of the House. Further Reading Here’s What We Know About Trump’s Picks To Run Republican Party (Forbes) Lara Trump And Michael Whatley Elected RNC Leaders As Trump Tightens Grip On Republicans (Forbes) Trump’s Cabinet Picks Could Diminish GOP’s Already-Thin Edge In Congress—Here’s What To Know (Forbes).
