Florida Gov. DeSantis Close to Decision on Senate Seat Appointment

Published: 1/11/2025, 6:49:24 AM EST

Florida Gov. DeSantis Close to Decision on Senate Seat Appointment — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Sept. 17, 2024. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Gov. Ron DeSantis revealed that he is nearing a decision on his appointment to Florida's U.S. Senate seat.

DeSantis on Friday weighed in on his highly-anticipated pick for the state's next senator amid growing speculation.

"I haven't yet, but it will come soon,” DeSantis told Fox News. "It's gonna be somebody that's gonna help President Trump deliver on the mandate that he earned from the American people. It's gonna be somebody that's gonna be strong on immigration, and somebody that represents the conservative principles that have made this country great."

The seat must be filled after President-elect Donald Trump chose Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to serve as his secretary of state in his new administration. Rubio is expected to be swiftly confirmed to his new position.

A governor has the authority to fill vacancies in the Senate, according to the U.S. Constitution and state law. By contrast, voters decide who should fill vacancies in the House of Representatives. DeSantis’ pick for the Senate would serve for two years until the next regularly scheduled election in 2026. DeSantis will be termed out as governor that same year.

The governor previously said he would have a decision by early January. DeSantis conducted preliminary vetting for possible candidates in November after receiving some strong interest from potential candidates. In addition to being strong on immigration issues, the governor said he wants the next Florida senator to be tough on the controversial H-1B program.

DeSantis has declined to name any candidates, recently refusing in a press conference to say “who’s in and who’s out" when asked by reporters about potential picks for the seat. Some names being floated include Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, Florida’s Attorney General Ashley Moody, and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, according to the Associated Press.

Some Republican senators backed Lara Trump for the seat. This includes Florida Sen. Rick Scott. The president-elect’s daughter-in-law, who served as co-chair for the Republican National Committee (RNC), considered the appointment but later decided she would not pursue it.

“After an incredible amount of thought, contemplation, and encouragement from so many, I have decided to remove my name from consideration for the United States Senate,” she wrote in a post on X last month, adding that she has a big announcement to share in January.

Rubio, who has held the Senate seat since 2010, has not officially resigned yet. His confirmation hearing with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is set to take place next week.

Along with the presidency, Republicans hold majorities in both the Senate and House.