MAGA Republicans get behind Trump family member for U.S. Senate seat

Donald Trump’s most loyal supporters are floating the name of the incoming president’s daughter in law to be named the next U.S. senator from Florida.
The news comes as Trump is expected to name U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Flordia as his next secretary of state. Lara Trump, who currently heads the National Republican Committee, could be a possible contender to fill Rubio’s seat if he takes the role.
According to an Axios report, “Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) is publicly calling for President-elect Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump to be chosen to fill a Florida Senate seat — a sign of Trump allies potentially rallying around the pick.”
The call ultimately comes down to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who gets to name the temporary replacement if there’s an open Senate seat in his state and has — at times — had a fraught relationship with Trump.
More from Axios: “Sources tell us that other possible contenders for the seat include DeSantis’ chief of staff James Uthmeier and the state’s attorney general, Ashley Moody.”
Both in business and in government, Trump has always kept relatives in key roles. If physical proximity is any sign of power, it’s worth noting the person standing to Trump’s right at his victory party was Lara Trump.
She is married to the former president’s middle son, Eric, and since the spring has been Donald Trump’s handpicked choice to serve as co-chair of the Republican National Committee.
Lara Trump, a former television producer, was a prominent campaigner for her father-in-law and contemplated her own campaign in 2022, weighing a run for Senate in her home state of North Carolina, before deciding against a bid.
At the RNC, she’s been a TV-ready advocate for the former president and tasked with boosting fundraising, expanding outreach to voters and the party’s “election integrity” initiative. She’s also explored a side venture as a singer, releasing several songs, which sometimes feature political imagery.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Matt Arco may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco.