Lara Trump removes herself from Florida Senate sweepstakes

TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Lara Trump says she is taking her name out of consideration for Florida’s soon-to-be-vacant Senate seat amid growing signs that Gov. Ron DeSantis would not endorse her for the spot — including doubt cast by her own father-in-law, President-elect Donald Trump.

Lara Trump, who recently stepped down from her post 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 that she would make a “big announcement” in January and that she looked “forward to serving our country again sometime in the future. In the meantime, I wish Governor DeSantis the best of luck with this appointment.”

Florida’s Senate seat will be up for grabs because Sen. Marco Rubio is stepping down early next year to become Trump’s secretary of state. DeSantis will get to 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 do “extensive vetting and candidate interviews” before he made a decision. But the Republican governor has not talked publicly about who he has or has not talked to about the position.

POLITICO previously reported that several people could be in the mix for the spot, including Attorney General Ashley Moody, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Núñez, DeSantis’ chief of staff James Uthmeier and former Florida House Speaker Jose Oliva. But in recent weeks Moody has emerged as the top contender for the job. If DeSantis were to select Moody he could then potentially appoint his long-time ally and former presidential campaign manager Uthmeier to the job of attorney general.

President-elect Trump said this past week that he didn’t expect Lara Trump to get selected for the appointment. He told reporters “I don't. I probably don't, but I don't know. … Ron is doing a good job. It is his choice, nothing to do with me.”

Some of Trump’s biggest supporters on social media — and a few in the Senate, including Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) — had backed the appointment of Lara Trump. She had previously said during media interviews that she would be interested in the job.

DeSantis, who first became governor with an important endorsement from then-President Trump, mounted an unsuccessful challenge for the GOP nomination. His decision to run for president strained his relationship with Trump but after he dropped out of the race he endorsed Trump and helped raise money for him.