Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of President-elect Donald Trump, announced on Saturday that she has withdrawn her name from consideration to replace Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), amid his appointment as secretary of state in the incoming administration.
“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,” Trump wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
While she ruled out pursuing the Senate seat, Trump hinted at a major announcement coming in January. “I remain incredibly passionate about public service and look forward to serving our country again sometime in the future,” she added. “In the meantime, I wish Governor DeSantis the best of luck with this appointment.”
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Sen. Rubio, who has been nominated by President-elect Trump to serve as secretary of state, will vacate his Senate seat if confirmed. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to appoint a replacement by early January, a decision he has indicated will be critical to advancing the incoming administration’s agenda.
“Florida deserves a senator who will help President Trump deliver on his election mandate, be strong on immigration and border security, take on the entrenched bureaucracy and administrative state, reverse the nation’s fiscal decline, be animated by conservative principles, and has a proven record of results,” DeSantis wrote in a November post on X.
Lara Trump, who is married to Eric Trump, the president-elect’s son, has been a prominent figure in Republican circles. She recently stepped down as co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC), a role she assumed in March. In her announcement, Trump expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating that she was “truly humbled by the unbelievable support shown to me by the people of our country, and here in the great state of Florida.”
Her departure from the RNC and openness to other opportunities fueled speculation about her possible candidacy for Rubio’s Senate seat. In November, she told Fox News she would “strongly consider” another role in public service if asked, calling it an honor.
Governor DeSantis faces the significant task of selecting Rubio’s successor if the Senate confirms Rubio as secretary of state. With Florida playing a pivotal role in national politics, the appointee is expected to align closely with the Trump administration’s agenda.
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As for Lara Trump, her decision to step aside leaves the race wide open and raises questions about her “big announcement” planned for January. While she has taken herself out of contention for the Senate, her statement suggests that her public service ambitions remain firmly intact.
“I look forward to serving our country again sometime in the future,” she said, signaling that her role in politics is far from over.
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