Donald Trump just gave Gov. Ron DeSantis an early Christmas present.
By reportedly picking Sen. Marco Rubio to be his secretary of state, the president-elect empowered DeSantis to choose Rubio’s replacement.
The timing on the appointment is perhaps just as intriguing. If Rubio resigns his Senate seat, Florida law requires voters to elect a new senator in 2026 — two years earlier than Rubio’s term would have been up. DeSantis is, incidentally, term-limited out as governor in 2026.
Rumors are flying right now, and many of the people who understand the governor’s thinking are in Italy, where DeSantis and top officials are on a trade mission. A DeSantis political spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.
But here are a few of the key names to watch.
DeSantis could appoint himself or his wife, first lady Casey DeSantis, to the post. He has that power.
They’re not likely to be interested. The office of U.S. senator comes with few of the trappings afforded by the Governor’s Mansion. No Florida governor in recent history has leveraged his office to such political gain as DeSantis, and he’d lose lots of that leverage if he became one of 100 senators in Washington. The couple also have three young children, which would pose logistical challenges given the frequent travel to and from Washington required by senators.
Moody has been DeSantis’ ally during his tenure as governor. As the only member of the Florida Cabinet to be elected by a wider margin than DeSantis in each of her last two races, she’s popular with the Republican base and she’s got crossover appeal with moderates. Moody is also termed out in 2026, meaning she could be looking for a promotion soon.
A political spokesperson for Moody did not respond to an emailed request for comment. When asked about the potential appointment in an appearance on Fox News Wednesday, Moody ducked the question.
As the leader of two political groups bent on defeating ballot referendums on abortion and marijuana, Uthmeier just finished running the campaigns that DeSantis worked the hardest on in 2024. As DeSantis’ chief of staff and the former head of his presidential campaign, Uthmeier is one of the governor’s closest advisers. And as a former top adviser to Donald Trump’s then-Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, Uthmeier has Washington experience.
For all of these reasons, Uthmeier is likely on DeSantis’ short list of potential appointees. The governor’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
Oliva, the wealthy cigar company owner who served as speaker of the Florida House from 2018 to 2020, is one of the biggest DeSantis boosters in the state. He traveled to Iowa to campaign for the governor during DeSantis’ presidential campaign.
And DeSantis clearly thinks highly of Oliva. In 2023, the governor appointed the Miami Lakes man to serve on the board of governors of the state university system, as plum an appointment as one can get in state government.
Oliva did not respond to a text requesting comment.
The president’s daughter-in-law may be MAGA world’s candidate.
In an X post, U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna floated Lara Trump for the Senate position.
“She will keep the seat and avoid a messy primary for FLORIDA. Well spoken. Kicked butt on election integrity. Etc.,” Luna posted.
Katie Britt, the conservative U.S. senator from Alabama, is also reportedly pushing for Lara Trump.
As co-chairperson of the Republican National Committee, Trump helped her father-in-law secure a commanding victory in the 2024 presidential race. The president-elect could always weigh in on who he’d like to see in the Senate seat, which would complicate matters for DeSantis.
However, there’s little indication that DeSantis is considering Lara Trump. Oliva, Uthmeier and Moody seem to be the candidates to watch.
Kirby Wilson is a politics reporter, covering the leaders of Florida and explaining the political landscape. Reach him at kwilson@tampabay.com.
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