Lara Trump withdraws name from consideration for Marco Rubio’s US Senate seat in Florida

Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of President-elect Donald Trump, said has withdrawn her name from consideration to replace outgoing Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, as she teased a “big announcement” next month.

The announcement comes more than month after the incoming president tapped Rubio as his secretary of state designee, prompting speculation that Lara Trump could fill the vacant seat in the US Senate. 

“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,” Lara Trump posted to X.

“I could not have been more honored to serve as RNC co-chair during the most high-stakes election of our lifetime and I’m truly humbled by the unbelievable support shown to me by the people of our country, and here in the great state of Florida. I have read so many of your kind messages and I cannot thank you enough.”

She added that she has a “big announcement” that she will share in January, while expressing her commitment to public service.

“I remain incredibly passionate about public service and look forward to serving our country again sometime in the future,” she continued.

“In the meantime, I wish Governor DeSantis the best of luck with his appointment.”

Lara Trump, 42, stepped down as the co-chair of the Republican National Committee this month, a role she has held since March, further fueling buzz about her nabbing Rubio’s seat. 

Trump is married to Eric Trump, Donald Trump’s son. 

The incoming president had been pressing for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to choose his family member to serve as the Sunshine State’s next senator until revealing last week he was no longer holding out hope. 

The Republican governor will pick Rubio’s replacement – if the senator is confirmed to lead the State Department in January – who will serve out his six-year term, which ends in 2026. 

DeSantis has underscored that he wants 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” and be a conservative champion broadly.

The term-limited governor has set his sights on selecting a senator early next month.

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