FLORIDA, USA — Florida Senator Marco Rubio has been picked by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as his secretary of state, now leaving it up to the Senate to officially confirm Rubio to the position.
But that leaves a question up in the air — if he is officially appointed, who will fill his Senate seat?
Gov. Ron DeSantis would proceed with that decision, and the appointed replacement would serve until a 2026 special election to complete Rubio's term.
While there are no formal nominees up for the role, sources have told CBS News Miami several names that are currently being discussed.
Appointing DeSantis' chief of staff James Uthmeier
According to CBS News Miami, DeSantis could move forward and appoint his Chief of Staff James Uthmeier to the Senate seat.
Uthmeier is a graduate from Georgetown Law and the University of Florida. He was previously a General Counsel and oversaw all legal work of the governor and state executive agencies. He reportedly served as the governor's Chief Ethics Officer and served as a senior advisor and counsel to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.
If this move were to be taken, DeSantis could have the option to run for the seat himself in the 2026 special election, aligning with the end of his gubernatorial term.
Appointing Lt. Governor Jeanette Nunez
Lt. Governor Jeanette Nunez could also reportedly take over the position. Her appointment, according to CBS News, would provide continuity for Cuban-American representation, replacing Rubio, who shares the same background.
Nunez was elected to her current role in 2018 and then reelected in 2022, according to DeSantis' website. She oversees the Florida Department of Health, alongside serving as the Chair of Space Florida and Chair of Florida's Cybersecurity Task Force. She is also a member of the statewide Council on Human Trafficking.
Nunez reportedly graduated from Florida International University and has previously served as a State Representative of the Florida House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018.
Appointing Attorney General Ashley Moody
Another potential contender for DeSantis' appointment would be Attorney General Ashley Moody, according to CBS News Miami.
Moody has held her current role since 2019. She has served as a commissioner on the Presidential Commission of Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice. Moody has also reportedly served as chair of Florida's Statewide Task Force on Opioid Abuse.
Appointing former Florida House Speaker Jose Oliva
There is also speculation that former Florida House Speaker Jose Oliva could take over Rubio's seat in the Senate.
Oliva was elected to the House in 2011 and served as a speaker from 2018 to 2020, according to the Florida House of Representatives' website. Currently, he reportedly serves on the state's Board of Governors.
DeSantis appoints himself or his wife to the Senate seat
Another potential option — DeSantis appoints himself to the Senate seat. He could work with Nunez to resign, allowing her to take over the governorship and appoint him directly to the seat and therefore, bypassing the need to wait until 2026.
There's also speculation that DeSantis could appoint his wife, Casey DeSantis, to the position because she has been involved in Florida's government for quite a while.
