A.G. Gancarski
The incoming Donald Trump administration is reportedly selecting Sen. Marco Rubio as Secretary of State.
Rubio, in his third term in the U.S. Senate, has been steeped in intelligence matters and promises a pro-active posture regarding threats from China, Russia, Iran, and their allies. He was short listed for Vice President, but ultimately the hurdle of having two members of the ticket from the same state seemed to be a deal breaker for Trump.
The appointment comes after days of speculation about whether Rubio would take an administration role.
During an interview on “The World Over with Raymond Arroyo,” Rubio said “if there’s a better place, if that’s God’s will and plan for my life and then opportunity presents itself, I wouldn’t close the door to it.”
He contended he hadn’t talked to the President-elect seriously about the role.
Rubio would be the first Hispanic Secretary of State, and his history on issues impacting Florida could hint significantly at his approach to a role as Secretary of State. He serves as the top Republican on the Senate Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, and brings a high level of focus on foreign relations in the Caribbean and South America.
Of course, joining the administration would also create a vacancy in one of Florida’s U.S. Senate seats. Unlike with U.S. House seats, Florida’s Governor would choose who fills Rubio’s post instead of a Special election.
Speculation is swirling about whom Gov. Ron DeSantis will appoint to the Senate to replace Rubio, as the second-term Republican gets a potent political prize ahead of the upcoming Legislative Session.
Names are already floating around the ether, including of Cabinet members who are termed out in 2026, including Attorney General Ashley Moody and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, and that conversation will ramp up if Rubio indeed leaves the Senate. That appointment could create an opportunity for DeSantis to elevate someone to high office as well.
That potentially could include First Lady Casey DeSantis, who has long harbored her own political interests, or DeSantis Chief of Staff James Uthmeier, who just chaired two successful campaigns against statewide ballot initiatives.
Kudos are coming in, including from Senate colleague Rick Scott.
“I’m thrilled for my friend, Florida colleague, and our next Secretary of State! He will restore American leadership around the world, especially in Latin America, as he represents the United States with dignity and courage! It’s been an honor to serve the people of Florida alongside him and (I) look forward to continuing our work together,” Scott posted to X.
“Congrats,” tweeted Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power. “Seems like just the other day I was interning for him in the Florida House!”
“Huge congratulations to my friend Marco Rubip on his nomination for Secretary of State!,” posted Rep. María Elvira Salazar, a Coral Gables Republican and the top Republican on the House Western Hemisphere Subcommittee. “As Cuban Americans from Miami and members of the exile community, we share a commitment to fighting communism and protecting freedom. Marco will restore American leadership abroad!”
““President Trump has made a truly historic and brilliant choice in selecting Senator Marco Rubio as our nation’s Secretary of State,” said Rep. Carlos Giménez, a Miami-Dade Republican. “Senator Rubio is America’s statesman, a proven expert in international affairs and an unequivocal champion for freedom, democracy and global Human Rights. As a fellow Floridian, Miamian and Cuban American I am beyond proud of Senator Rubio and his accomplishments. Sen. Rubio will be the highest-ranking Hispanic leader in U.S. history, and I know our nation, our region, and the world will be safer, more secure, and freer under his leadership.”
20 comments
Red Storm
November 11, 2024 at 9:15 pm
It’s not gonna be Debbie Wasserman-Schultz.
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November 11, 2024 at 11:24 pm
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Reaping What You Sowed
November 12, 2024 at 6:49 am
Rubio is nothing,but a yes man wannabe , Sergio Lavaro will need another Russian agent
A day without Libturds
November 12, 2024 at 8:52 am
Cry more, libturd!
Reaping What You Sowed
November 12, 2024 at 11:43 am
Russian will served him his ball,on Trump table
A day without Libturds
November 12, 2024 at 5:13 pm
Muh Russians comment! LMAO
Red Knight
November 11, 2024 at 9:27 pm
Or Federica Wilson either Baby..
Ploni Almoni
November 11, 2024 at 10:02 pm
Could DeSantis appoint an old Republican standard-bearer to hold the Senate seat until he can run for it?
Rick Keogh
November 12, 2024 at 12:46 am
De Santis? If he doesn’t appoint himself, he’ll probably pick Matt Gaetz, who’s a bottom feeder like De Santis, Rick Scott, etc.
Or how about “Low Energy” JEB Bush?
Florida is Red
November 12, 2024 at 5:26 am
You aren’t a Republican I am and am completely against Matt Gaetz. He’s a punk after that nonsense he pulled in Congress with the Speaker.
My Take
November 12, 2024 at 3:58 am
His wife.
My Take
November 12, 2024 at 4:01 am
It’s not going to be Randy Fine.
Reaping What You Sowed
November 12, 2024 at 6:50 am
Google Rubio Family Drug Cartel
A day without Libturds
November 12, 2024 at 9:46 am
Get a job you pathetic blue cultist loser! You are nothing!
It's Complicated
November 12, 2024 at 10:06 am
Given the age of the DeSantis children, it seems unlikely he would appoint his wife leading to a split Tallahassee/DC household, because the family logistics would be rough (unless she does a Tuesday through Thursday work week in DC). The more likely scenario is the Governor resigns and a newly sworn-in Governor Jeanette Nuñez appoints him to the position. Optics of that are not particularly good, but that may not matter. I don’t think appointing a four-year placeholder (who agrees NOT to run in 2028) will work because he would be out of the Governor’s Office for two years before that Senate seat is up for reelection, and political stock value is a fickle thing.
MarvinM
November 12, 2024 at 1:12 pm
I agree it’s complicated.
Agree DeSantis resigning to appoint himself is super bad look, but not ruling out he might do it.
I suspect he will just appoint a 4 year placeholder. Who will make the seat more vulnerable in 2028.
I have one other wacky idea – Rubio could just say “Thank you, but I prefer to serve the people of Florida in my role as senator”, and not accept the SoS position. That might end up working better for his career and blood pressure.
It's Complicated
November 12, 2024 at 5:06 pm
I just learned the appointment of an interim to replace Rubio will only serve until a candidate is elected in the next General Election (2026). The person elected to the post in 2026 will finish the current term ending 2028, and then would have to run again to keep the post. Given that information, a two-year placeholder might work for DeSantis, because it avoids the bad optics and he would be running from a position of incumbent Governor in 2026.
MarvinM
November 12, 2024 at 5:39 pm
Yeah, I just read that too, or at least something about a special election (which I guess technically is what that is).
Which actually makes more sense.
DeSantis would have to choose* to run for president or senate in 2028 either way. Both have risks.
But that’s for later. We’ll see what happens in the next couple months (or less) for the more immediate vacancy.
* or, he could retire from politics. It is an option!
Ron Ogden
November 12, 2024 at 2:50 pm
The idea of a Lara Trump appointment makes better sense than it may seem on the surface. The key to DeSantis’ post-Governor future is having a good relationship with the President. At this time, Chief of Staff Wiles can harm it because of her and DeSantis misunderstandings. Appointing Lara Trump might be a cagey tactical move around Wiles.