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.
_____________________________________________________________________
J Willie David, III contributed to this report.
news@FloridaNationalNews.com
Florida
Joe Strada Loans Campaign $5 Million, Launches $1 Million Ad Buy in Congressional District 11
The ad was produced by political strategist Brad Herold of Something Else Strategies and marks the first major media investment of the campaign.
$5 MILLION PERSONAL LOAN TO CAMPAIGN
Strada, founder of Strada Services, announced last week that he had loaned his congressional campaign $5 million, providing the campaign with substantial financial resources early in the election cycle.
Strada Services is one of the nation’s largest privately held, family-owned companies specializing in air conditioning, electrical, security, and plumbing services.
The campaign said the loan and advertising investment demonstrate Strada’s commitment to communicating directly with voters throughout Central Florida.
FIRST MAJOR MEDIA PUSH
The $1 million advertising effort is expected to reach voters across Florida’s 11th Congressional District through a combination of television, radio, and digital media platforms.
The campaign has positioned Strada as a conservative outsider and successful entrepreneur focused on bringing private-sector experience to Washington.
Additional details regarding future advertising and campaign events are expected in the coming weeks.
ABOUT FLORIDA’S 11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Florida’s 11th Congressional District includes portions of Central Florida and is expected to be one of the state’s closely watched congressional races during the 2026 election cycle.
Crimes and Courts
Attorney General Uthmeier Announces Charges Against Six in South Florida Drug Trafficking Enterprise
Florida
Republican Rep. Paula Stark Disqualified From Ballot, Giving Democrats Opportunity to Flip House District 47
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Florida State Rep. Paula Stark has been disqualified from seeking reelection in Florida House District 47 after failing to satisfy candidate qualifying requirements before the noon Friday filing deadline.
According to state election records, Stark’s candidacy was disqualified due to a deficiency involving required financial disclosure filings, commonly referred to as Form 6. Florida law requires candidates for legislative office to timely submit all qualifying documents, including financial disclosure forms, to appear on the ballot.
Form 6 Financial Disclosure Requirement
Form 6 is a public financial disclosure document required for state elected officials and candidates. The form requires candidates to disclose assets, liabilities, sources of income, and other financial interests.
The disclosure includes a sworn certification stating: “Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have read the foregoing Form 6 and that the facts stated in it are true.”
Candidates are required to complete, sign and timely file the disclosure as part of Florida’s qualifying process. Failure to properly file required qualifying documents, including Form 6, by the statutory deadline can result in disqualification from the ballot.
Democrats Advance to Primary Election
With Stark removed from contention, Democrats now have an opportunity to capture the Republican-held seat in House District 47.
The only candidates remaining in the race are:
- Jorge Figueroa, President of the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida
- Anthony Nieves, a state investigator
The two Democrats will compete in the Aug. 18 Democratic Primary, with the winner becoming Representative-Elect.
House District 47 covers portions of Osceola County and has been represented by Stark since her election to the Florida House.
The disqualification was among the most notable developments of Florida’s 2026 candidate qualifying period and significantly alters the political landscape in a district Republicans had hoped to retain.
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