Ron Desantis Has To Pick Rubio's Replacement Soon. Here's Who He's Leaning Toward.

Time is running short for Gov. Ron DeSantis’ first big decision of 2025 — picking Marco Rubio’s replacement in the Senate.

Asked on Tuesday if he’s made up his mind, the governor said he still has not decided who he will appoint to replace Rubio.

But all signs point to him leaning toward Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, with Rubio bound for the State Department under President-elect Donald Trump. And 10 people familiar with the selection process, all granted anonymity to discuss the decision freely, told Playbook that Moody was viewed as the leading contender for the seat.

Moody has been a staunch DeSantis supporter — but also has been vocally supportive of Trump, particularly his positions on legal matters. She recently filed state charges against Ryan Routh, the man charged with attempting to assassinate Trump at his Florida golf course.

The governor wouldn’t give away his thinking about the upcoming vacancy during a gaggle with reporters on Tuesday and sidestepped a question about Moody. But the Republican governor said that a “lot of research” had been done on potential candidates and he wanted someone who would help carry out Trump’s agenda and be strong on battling illegal immigration and reining in federal spending. “We want someone who is really able to deliver,” DeSantis said.

Still, he appeared to be inviting the public (and Trump) to picture Moody in the role during a local swearing-in ceremony in Tampa on Tuesday, where she appeared alongside Trump loyalist and attorney general pick Pam Bondi.

Trump has been uncharacteristically quiet about the selection process for the next senator from his home state. He boosted his daughter-in-law and former Republican National Committee co-chair, Lara Trump, for the seat. But she withdrew herself from consideration over the holidays — and even before that, the president-elect downplayed her being picked, saying “Ron is doing a good job. It is his choice, nothing to do with me.” And Trump wasn’t asked about the Senate opening during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday.

But if the two men wanted to discuss it, they’ll have a chance soon. DeSantis is among several governors invited to a dinner at Mar-a-Lago with Trump on Thursday night, POLITICO’s newest colleague, Dasha Burns, and Gary Fineout report.

The timeline for DeSantis’ announcement is in flux. Rubio’s confirmation hearings in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee just got scheduled for Jan. 15, and he hasn’t yet said when he would resign his seat. But Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D) told POLITICO’s Congress team that Rubio is a priority confirmation for “Day One.” DeSantis suggested Tuesday the appointment will be announced “pretty soon,” but likely around the time of Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20.

Another unknown is DeSantis’ own political future. The confirmation hearings for Pete Hegseth to be Trump’s defense secretary begin Jan. 14. He appears to be in a much stronger position than when his selection was on the ropes a month ago, but DeSantis is considered to be a backup pick for the job. Should that happen, then Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez would become governor. And the job of choosing the next senator from Florida could then fall to her.

Finally, Moody’s selection as senator would trigger changes at the top of state government. POLITICO previously reported that chief of staff James Uthmeier would be a top contender to replace Moody as attorney general. And DeSantis also appears to be leaning toward state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia (R-Spring Hill) for the chief financial officer job that current CFO Jimmy Patronis is resigning from to run for Congress. Altogether, these selections would be legacy-defining for DeSantis and demonstrate his muscle in shaping Florida’s future.

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