Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is reportedly delaying the process of naming Sen. Marco Rubio's successor, but allies of Donald Trump have suggested that the president-elect's successor be the president-elect's successor as secretary of state. 's daughter, Lara Trump. .
Mr. DeSantis, a 46-year-old former and likely future rising star in the Republican Party, challenged Mr. Trump, 78, for this year's Republican presidential nomination, but lost in a landslide and ultimately supported Mr. Trump's return. .
“The Governor will conduct a thorough vetting and interview process with multiple candidates in December,” a DeSantis aide said. told NBC News.
“He's not in a hurry to make important decisions.”
Mr. Rubio, 53, is likely to remain in the Senate until at least part of January. His nomination is one of the least controversial among his current Senate colleagues and is expected to be easily approved.
DeSantis said last week that he is “strong on immigration and border security, standing up against entrenched bureaucracies and the administrative state, reversing the decline of our national finances, and driven by conservative ideals. [who] We have a proven track record. ”
Lara Trump, 42, has been a strong defender of her father-in-law's populist policies and will ensure she will be his ardent ally in the Senate. Many Republicans in the Senate continue to undermine their independence from Trump, expressing concern about Trump's request for a recess. Ministerial appointments require consent to adjournment in the absence of legal gymnastics.
Republicans hold a 53-47 advantage in the Senate, but some members have expressed reservations about Mr. Trump's list of cabinet nominees, and three returning Republicans have said they would vote to convict Mr. Trump at his impeachment trial in 2021. I voted to do so.
Lara Trump is married to Trump's second son, Eric, and has been co-chair of the Republican National Committee since March.
She had previously been floated as a candidate for U.S. Senate in her home state of North Carolina.
DeSantis technically has the option of choosing himself for the Senate seat or choosing someone who could vie for the role in the future, but he is said to be leaning toward one or the other.
Other ardent pro-Trump allies are also being discussed, including former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who this month responded to the House Ethics Committee's investigation of Trump into allegations of sexual misconduct. The move comes amid concerns among Senate Republicans, including a former congressman who received a nomination for attorney general but later withdrew it.
However, Gaetz was an ardent Trump supporter during DeSantis' unsuccessful presidential bid.
NBC reported that DeSantis' final list of candidates to replace Rubio included Lieutenant Governor Janet Nunez, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd, and former They include Florida House Speaker Jose Oliva and the Governor's Secretary. Staff member James Usmeyer.
The presidential transition will also create vacancies in other Congress, including the Ohio Senate seat held by Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and the upstate New York House seat held by Rep. Elise Stefanik, President Trump's nominee for ambassador to the United States. Become. countries.
