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Who Could Replace Marco Rubio as Florida Senator? 7 Potential Contenders
Newsweek ^ | Nov 12, 2024

Posted on 11/17/2024 8:24:57 AM PST by CondoleezzaProtege

In Florida, the governor appoints an interim replacement for vacant U.S. Senate seats, giving Ron DeSantis the authority to choose Rubio's successor...

Here are seven potential replacements:

Jeanette Nuñez- Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez has a strong background in health care administration and a track record in the Florida House. She is a strong ally of DeSantis, and, like Rubio, is Cuban American.

Byron Donalds- U.S. Representative Byron Donalds from Florida's 19th District has gained national attention as a conservative voice and strong Trump ally. During the campaign, Donalds appeared on many news shows acting as a surrogate for Trump.

Matt Gaetz- U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz is a high-profile Trump supporter from Florida's 1st District with a strong following among conservative voters. Known for his vocal defense of MAGA conservative policies, Gaetz arguably has the largest national profile of any of the candidates.

Ashley Moody- As Florida's attorney general, Ashley Moody has led on issues like immigration enforcement and public safety. Her legal expertise and close work with DeSantis on key initiatives make her a logical choice to step into the role.

Wilton Simpson- Florida's commissioner of agriculture and former state Senate president, Wilton Simpson has served in Florida's state government since 2012. He has been the state's commissioner of agriculture since 2023.

James Uthmeier- James Uthmeier, chief of staff to DeSantis, has played a central role in executing the governor's agenda. Although he has stayed behind the scenes, Uthmeier's policy expertise and close relationship with DeSantis could make him an effective, though less traditional, choice for the Senate.

José Oliva- Former speaker of the Florida House, José Oliva is a respected figure in Florida politics with a conservative track record on business and government reform. His leadership experience and statewide connections make him a serious contender to replace Rubio.

(Excerpt) Read more at newsweek.com ...


TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS: ashleymoody; byrondonalds; desantis; florida; flynnnicholls; jamesuthmeier; jeanettenunez; joseoliva; laratrump; marcorubio; mattgaetz; newsweek; rondesantis; wiltonsimpson
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

Lara volunteered for the post. She will do great.


21 posted on 11/17/2024 9:33:22 AM PST by libh8er
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

Matt Gaetz if he does not get his nomination. Then he can work on changing the rotten Senate leadership.


22 posted on 11/17/2024 9:35:29 AM PST by Nateman (Democrats did not strive for fraud friendly voting merely to continue honest elections.)
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To: BigEdLB

The way she crushed Democrats attempts to cheat early on… that alone qualifies her for the job.


23 posted on 11/17/2024 9:36:00 AM PST by libh8er
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

He will appoint himself. Susan Wiles used to work for him and they had a falling out. He won’t appoint Lara, who just recently lived in N. Carolina, besides DeSantis on the best terms with Trump is questionable. If he doesn’t appoint himself he could go with Byron Donalds.


24 posted on 11/17/2024 9:48:21 AM PST by kenmcg (ti hi o)
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To: libh8er

Love Lara, but her being installed has an icky nepotism factor to it, and a bit carpetbagger-like.

What about Byron Donalds? He’s paid his dues and has been 100% MAGA supporter AFAIK. If he wants it, he should have it.

Gaetz, too, if AG doesn’t work out.

Or Bongino is SS doesn’t work out.


25 posted on 11/17/2024 9:58:36 AM PST by MayflowerMadam (Not the whore in '24)
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To: Nateman
Matt Gaetz if he does not get his nomination.

Matt Gaetz appointment to the Senate would be swift justice if the full Senate doesn't confirm him for AG and majority leader Thune fails to follow through on his pledge on recess appointments.

26 posted on 11/17/2024 9:58:37 AM PST by mac_truck (aide toi et dieu t'aidera)
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

I would take a close look at Pam Bondi.


27 posted on 11/17/2024 10:01:50 AM PST by Roadrunner383
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To: Roadrunner383

bttt


28 posted on 11/17/2024 10:06:18 AM PST by linMcHlp
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To: MayflowerMadam

All good options.


29 posted on 11/17/2024 10:09:49 AM PST by libh8er
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To: All

Hulk Hogan


30 posted on 11/17/2024 10:10:05 AM PST by escapefromboston (Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.)
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To: GOPJ

WE STILL MEED LARA TRUMP-—THRU 2028.


31 posted on 11/17/2024 10:34:58 AM PST by ridesthemiles (not giving up on TRUMP---EVER)
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To: j.havenfarm

I first met Sen. Rubio when he first won a seat on the City Commission of West Miami, Florida, in the late ‘90s. From that experience, I would recommend that DeSantis pick his Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez to fill Rubio’s seat.


32 posted on 11/17/2024 10:37:15 AM PST by batazoid (Natural born citizen)
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To: ridesthemiles

“WE STILL MEED LARA TRUMP-—THRU 2028.”

Yes. At the RNC.


33 posted on 11/17/2024 10:39:14 AM PST by MayflowerMadam (Not the whore in '24)
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To: MayflowerMadam; libh8er; batazoid

Yeah I would imagine though that Lara will be less inclined to focus on RNC now that 2024 presidency has been won. Unless she remains passionate about securing the midterms down ballot plus the legacy of voter integrity as a whole — I hope there is someone with as much skill and hutzpah willing to take the torch.


34 posted on 11/17/2024 12:07:47 PM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

Byron Donalds


35 posted on 11/17/2024 1:53:30 PM PST by TornadoAlley3 ( I'm Proud To Be An Okie From Muskogee)
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To: TornadoAlley3

Agreed. Prayers up for Congressman Donalds to be Senator Donalds :)


36 posted on 11/17/2024 2:06:25 PM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
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To: CondoleezzaProtege
It's important that the small, but significant growing movement of young black conservatives feel seen and heard
Bump.

The principle of pursuit demands, IMHO, that J.D. Vance make it his business to work to recruit and promote blacks who are acceptable to the Trump Republican brand to run for Congress as Republicans.

Vance was a signal asset to the ‘24 Republican campaign, beyond peradventure. But two things need to be said about a Vance ’28 presidential bid:

  1. candidates who have executive experience (i.e., sitting or former presidents, sitting or former governors, renowned generals) have a very strong historical tendency to defeat those without such experience on their resumes.

  2. vice president is not an executive position; it’s essentially impossible for it to be such. VP has half a vote in the Senate, and otherwise can be compared to a prince but only for a four-year term. Meaning, the odds are strongly against a given VP inheriting the oval office. Even if a president gives his VP authority over something, the fact will always remain that results redound, favorably or unfavorably, to the credit (or otherwise) of the president.
Joe Biden was the first man with no executive experience to be elected against someone with such experience since Warren G. Harding, a century before. And AFAIK he was the only such person ever to unseat a sitting president.

Anyway, if Vance wins the ’28 nomination our best hope will likely be that the Democrats nominate a senator to oppose him. Otherwise I don’t like the odds.


37 posted on 11/17/2024 4:28:33 PM PST by conservatism_IS_compassion
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To: CondoleezzaProtege; jazusamo
Speaking of promoting black conservatives, Trump should, with due haste in respect to the passage of time and Sowell’s age, award the presidential medal of freedom to Thomas Sowell.

And, to the extent that education WRT historical evils of slavery is to be addressed, it should be done by making Thomas Sowell’s writings required reading.


38 posted on 11/17/2024 4:51:23 PM PST by conservatism_IS_compassion
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To: conservatism_IS_compassion

Good insights. Yes to Thomas Sowell wow.


39 posted on 11/17/2024 6:31:17 PM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
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To: CondoleezzaProtege
Yes to Thomas Sowell
When JD Vance was in Harrisburg talking to an assembly of black pastors, he was asked about how to promote good education of black students. And I sat here watching the replay of that, and thinking that Vance did merely OK. IMHO the right answer to that woulda been to hand out copies of Sowell’s relevant insights.

40 posted on 11/18/2024 3:24:36 AM PST by conservatism_IS_compassion
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