Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, said on Saturday that she has removed her name from consideration to replace outgoing Senator Marco Rubio.
Rubio was picked by Trump to serve as Secretary of State.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will pick a replacement for Rubio, who is expected to resign as Senator when Trump takes office on January 20.
There was speculation that Lara Trump, who served as co-chair of the Republican National Committee in the lead-up to the 2024 election, would succeed Rubio in the Senate.
However, in a post on X, Lara said she had decided to remove herself from consideration “after an incredible amount of thought, contemplation, and encouragement from so many.”
“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,” she said.
Lara, 42, is married to Eric Trump, Donald Trump’s son.
She said she has a “big announcement” to share in January but did not provide details.
Trump said she remains passionate about public service and looks forward to serving again in the future.
While noting there was already strong interest from possible candidates, DeSantis said last month that a selection is likely to be made by early January.
Last month, DeSantis said on X, “Florida deserves 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, reverse the nation’s fiscal decline, be animated by conservative principles, and has a proven record of results.”
Billionaire Elon Musk who has emerged as one of Trump’s most trusted man, endorsed his mother’s endorsement of Lara for the Senate.
In a post on X last month, Maye Musk wrote, “The next senator for Florida should be [Lara Trump]. The Senate is an old man’s club. We desperately need a smart, young, outspoken woman who will reveal their secrets.”
Elon Musk replied to the post: “Lara Trump is genuinely great.”
