TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Lara Trump says she is withdrawing her name from consideration for the soon-to-be vacant Florida Senate seat, amid mounting signs that Gov. Ron DeSantis would not endorse her for the spot — including her own father’s doubts . in-laws, newly elected President Donald Trump.
Lara Trump, who recently resigned from her position as co-chair of the Republican National Committee, announced her decision Saturday evening in a social media post, which she said came after “an incredible amount of thought, consideration and encouragement from so many.”
Lara Trump also said she would be making a “big announcement” in January and that she “looked forward to serving our country again at some point in the future.” In the meantime, I wish Governor DeSantis the best of luck with this appointment.”
Florida’s Senate seat is up for grabs as Senator Marco Rubio steps down early next year to become Trump’s secretary of state. DeSantis will decide who will hold the seat until the 2026 elections.
DeSantis said in late November that he planned to make a decision on Rubio’s replacement early next year and promised to conduct “extensive screening and candidate interviews” before making a decision. But the Republican governor has not spoken publicly about who he has or has not spoken to about his position.
POLITICO previously reported that several people could be in the mix, including Attorney General Ashley Moody, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Núñez, DeSantis Chief of Staff James Uthmeier and former Speaker of the Florida House Jose Oliva. But in recent weeks, Moody has emerged as the top contender for the job. If DeSantis were to choose Moody, he could potentially appoint his longtime ally and former presidential campaign manager Uthmeier as attorney general.
President-elect Trump said last week that he did not expect Lara Trump to be selected for the nomination. He told reporters: ‘I don’t do that. Probably not, but I don’t know. …Ron is doing well. It’s his choice, it has nothing to do with me.”
Some of Trump’s biggest supporters on social media — and some in the Senate, including Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) — had supported Lara Trump’s nomination. She had previously said during media interviews that she would be interested in the job.
DeSantis, who first became governor with a key endorsement from then-President Trump, mounted an unsuccessful challenge for the Republican nomination. His decision to run for president strained his relationship with Trump, but after withdrawing from the race he supported Trump and helped raise money for him.
