Florida
Could Governor DeSantis Appoint Himself to the U.S. Senate if Marco Rubio Becomes Trump’s Secretary of State?
WEST PALM BEACH (FNN) – With President-Elect Donald Trump reportedly considering U.S. Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, Florida may soon face a vacancy in one of its Senate seats. Governor Ron DeSantis is positioned as a potential successor if Rubio is tapped for the role, though self-appointing to the Senate could carry significant political risks and set a historic precedent for Florida.
DeSantis v. Crist 2022 Race for Florida Governor
In 2009, then-Governor Charlie Crist appointed George LeMieux to the U.S. Senate as a placeholder but later lost his Senate bid to Marco Rubio. Crist missed a pivotal opportunity by not appointing himself. With Trump’s Republicans making bold moves, will DeSantis seize the moment and appoint himself if Rubio joins Trump’s cabinet?
Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez could become Governor?
File – Florida State Representative Jeanette Nuñez (R) speaks with Florida National News (FNN News) after a Ron DeSantis rally in Kissimmee, Florida.
Under Florida law, the governor could appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of Rubio’s term. However, for DeSantis to appoint himself, he would have to resign as governor and elevate Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez to the governorship. Should DeSantis take this route, he would be among a select group of governors who have self-appointed to the U.S. Senate—a move that has proven politically challenging historically.
Historical Impact of Self-Appointed Governors to the Senate (According to 2009 NPR report)
Governors who have self-appointed to the U.S. Senate have rarely been successful in subsequent elections. Only one governor has successfully won a later election after a self-appointment: Kentucky’s Happy Chandler, who not only retained his seat in a special election but also won re-election two years later.
Here’s a list of governors who self-appointed to the Senate and their subsequent electoral outcomes:
- Montana, 1933: Gov. John Erickson (D) appointed himself, lost the 1934 primary.
- Kentucky, 1939: Gov. Happy Chandler (D) appointed himself, won the 1940 special election and re-elected in 1942.
- Nevada, 1945: Gov. Edward Carville (D) appointed himself, lost the 1946 primary.
- Idaho, 1945: Gov. Charles Gossett (D) appointed himself, lost the 1946 primary.
- Wyoming, 1960: Gov. John J. Hickey (D) appointed himself, lost the 1962 general election.
- New Mexico, 1962: Gov. Edwin Mechem (R) appointed himself, lost the 1964 general election.
- Oklahoma, 1963: Gov. J. Howard Edmondson (D) appointed himself, lost the 1964 primary.
- South Carolina, 1965: Gov. Donald Russell (D) appointed himself, lost the 1966 primary.
- Minnesota, 1977: Gov. Wendell Anderson (D) appointed himself, lost the 1978 general election.
Would DeSantis Face Similar Challenges?
If DeSantis chooses to appoint himself, the implications could be complex:
- Risk of Political Backlash: Voters and political opponents might view a self-appointment as overly ambitious or opportunistic. DeSantis, who has cultivated a national reputation, would need to gauge public opinion carefully.
- Challenging Re-election Path: History shows that most governors who appointed themselves lost in subsequent elections, possibly due to the perception that they prioritized personal advancement over state leadership.
- Party and Public Perception: DeSantis has been a prominent figure in GOP politics and has a strong base in Florida. Self-appointing could strain relationships within the Republican Party, especially among those who might view his resignation as destabilizing for Florida’s executive branch.
DeSantis’ Considerations
If Rubio does leave the Senate, DeSantis will likely weigh his options carefully. He could appoint a trusted ally to the Senate role or, alternatively, make the bold move of appointing himself, assuming the risks that come with such a decision.
In short, the path for DeSantis is a narrow one, fraught with both opportunity and political hazards. If he seeks the Senate seat, he will be bucking a trend in American politics where few governors have successfully transitioned through self-appointments.
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J Willie David, III contributed to this report.
news@FloridaNationalNews.com
Florida
DeSantis’ New Florida Congressional Map Could Spark Lawsuits, Legislative Showdown, and Statewide Protests
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a proposed congressional redistricting map that could significantly reshape Florida’s representation in the U.S. House ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The proposal, released Monday, outlines districts that could favor Republicans in 24 seats, compared to four Democratic-leaning districts. Currently, Florida’s congressional delegation includes 20 Republicans and seven Democrats, with one vacant seat.
REDISTRICTING PROPOSAL & POLITICAL IMPACT
The governor said the new map reflects Florida’s population changes and fulfills his commitment to mid-decade redistricting. Lawmakers have been called into a special legislative session to consider the proposal.
The map appears to eliminate four Democratic-held seats, including a Tampa-area district represented by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, an Osceola County district held by U.S. Rep. Darren Soto—the first Puerto Rican elected to Congress from Florida—and a Palm Beach-Broward district that could displace U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz.
The proposal also affects a majority-Black voting district spanning Palm Beach and Broward counties, previously represented by former U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, raising concerns about the future of minority representation.
Supporters, including Evan Power, say the map could better align districts with voter distribution. Critics, including Nikki Fried, have called the proposal unconstitutional gerrymandering. Florida law prohibits partisan gerrymandering, setting up potential legal challenges.
Rep. Tray McCurdy, D-Orlando and Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville sit on the Florida Seal in protest as debate stops on Senate Bill 2-C: Establishing the Congressional Districts of the State in the House of Representatives Thursday, April 21, 2022 at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. Rep. Daisy Morales, D-Orlando, joins the protest, holding a sign. The session was halted on the protest. (AP Photo/Phil Sears)
LOOKING BACK: 2022 PROTESTS OVER REDISTRICTING
The current debate mirrors tensions from 2022, when Democratic lawmakers staged a sit-in protest on the Florida House floor in opposition to a previous congressional map backed by DeSantis.
Lawmakers including Yvonne Hinson, Angie Nixon, Travaris McCurdy, Felicia Robinson, and Daisy Morales participated in the protest, temporarily halting legislative proceedings.
Morales, a member of the Congressional Redistricting Subcommittee and the only Hispanic lawmaker involved in the sit-in, strongly criticized the map at the time.
“Our democracy is being attacked. The governor eliminating two Black congressional seats is a power grab and it’s wrong,” Morales said in a written statement. “Stripping seats from Black representation is the same as saying the Black voice—the Black vote—doesn’t matter.”
She also warned about potential impacts on Hispanic representation:
“With this map passing, I’m deeply concerned it could target the only Puerto Rican representing Florida in Congress, Darren Soto, to benefit partisan interests. We don’t want to disenfranchise the 1.2 million Puerto Ricans in Florida.”
WHAT COMES NEXT IN 2026
As lawmakers prepare to debate the new proposal, Democrats are expected to push back through legal challenges, legislative opposition, and public advocacy.
The outcome of Florida’s redistricting battle could play a pivotal role in shaping control of the U.S. House and influence the national political landscape heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
Entertainment
160+ Bands, 5 Stages: Welcome To Rockville Returns to Daytona International Speedway May 7–10 with Expanded Fan Experience
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (FNN) — Music set times have been released for the 15th anniversary of Welcome To Rockville, Florida’s largest rock, metal and punk festival, set for May 7–10, 2026 at Daytona International Speedway.
Produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, the four-day event will feature more than 160 bands performing across five stages, marking the festival’s largest lineup to date.
HEADLINERS AND DAILY LINEUP
This year’s festival will be headlined by Foo Fighters, My Chemical Romance, Guns N’ Roses and Bring Me The Horizon.
- Thursday, May 7: Guns N’ Roses, Five Finger Death Punch, Godsmack, Staind
- Friday, May 8: Foo Fighters, Turnstile, The Offspring, Parkway Drive
- Saturday, May 9: Bring Me The Horizon, Breaking Benjamin, Motionless in White, Lamb of God
- Sunday, May 10: My Chemical Romance, A Day To Remember, Rise Against, Yellowcard
FESTIVAL EXPANSION AND NEW FEATURES
Organizers announced several enhancements for 2026 aimed at improving the fan experience. A new “Pit Stop” fan zone near the Apex Stage will feature artist interviews, special performances and interactive experiences.
In addition, the Garage Stage will be fully tented for the first time, offering expanded shade coverage and upgraded production for attendees.
SPECIAL EVENTS AND EXPERIENCES
Festivalgoers can kick off the week with a pre-party on May 6 featuring performances by Fuel, Local H and others.
A new crossover event, “Blood4Blood,” will also take place at the Ocean Center, combining live music with bare-knuckle fighting, including a headline bout featuring Alex Terrible of Slaughter to Prevail.
TICKETS, ACCESS AND ATTENDANCE
Festival gates will open daily at 11:30 a.m. Organizers are offering a range of ticket options, including single-day, weekend, VIP and camping packages. A new Camp to Coast shuttle will provide transportation between the speedway and nearby beaches.
With expanded attractions, including rides, themed bars and interactive zones, Welcome To Rockville 2026 is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans to Daytona Beach, reinforcing its role as a major driver of Florida’s tourism and live entertainment economy.
