After Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination for attorney general, there was speculation he may be appointed to fill Florida’s vacant U.S. Senate seat.
President Trump nominated Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) as his secretary of state, giving DeSantis the task of appointing a new senator.
DeSantis needs to put Matt in the empty Senate Seat vacated by Marco Rubio.
We need Matt Gaetz somewhere.
— Jordan Rachel (@TheJordanRachel) November 21, 2024
I think DeSantis should give Matt Gaetz the Senate seat.
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) November 21, 2024
As Marco Rubio's Senate seat has become available – maybe Gov. DeSantis will appoint Matt Gaetz?
— Robert W Malone, MD (@RWMaloneMD) November 21, 2024
According to National Review, the Florida governor will not appoint Gaetz to fill the seat.
A source familiar with the governor’s thinking told the outlet “he won’t appoint Matt.”
Will @GovRonDeSantis appoint @mattgaetz to @marcorubio's Senate seat?
"He won't appoint Matt." | @AudreyFahlberg https://t.co/o3J3V1nSn2
— National Review (@NRO) November 22, 2024
JUST IN | Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will not appoint Matt Gaetz to Marco Rubio's Senate seat – National Review pic.twitter.com/D6VaeL8P6l
— The Election Post (@TheElectionPost) November 21, 2024
“DeSantis is said to be vetting a shortlist of prominent Republicans, including Lara Trump and Florida AG Ashley Moody, with an announcement expected in January. Whoever fills the seat will serve until 2026, setting the stage for a special election. The decision reflects DeSantis’s strategic planning for Florida’s future,” Bill Mitchell commented.
BREAKING: "DeSantis Unlikely to Appoint Gaetz to Rubio’s Senate Seat" – National Review
Sources say Matt Gaetz will not be new FL Senator. Didn't think so. He and DeSantis are no longer close.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reportedly won’t consider Rep. Matt Gaetz for Marco… pic.twitter.com/Bwu79WLg9H
— Bill Mitchell (@mitchellvii) November 22, 2024
Per National Review:
A DeSantis spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NR about whether he is considering Gaetz. But a source familiar with the governor’s thinking was adamant that Gaetz is not on the list of candidates: “He won’t appoint Matt,” this source tells NR.
This is not surprising news, given the cloud of controversy that surrounds Gaetz and the long list of Republican candidates DeSantis is already vetting for the seat. As NR reported last week, top candidates for the role include the president-elect’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, Florida attorney general Ashley Moody, Florida lieutenant governor Jeanette Nuñez, and DeSantis’s chief of staff, James Uthmeier. The governor said in a social media statement earlier this week that he expects to announce his pick in early January.
Gaetz previously resigned from the House of Representatives to purse the position of attorney general.
In his resignation letter, Gaetz said he does not intend to “take the oath of office for the same office in the 119th Congress.”
Gaetz's resignation letter to DeSantis notes that he does "not intend to take the oath of office for the same office in the 119th Congress." Pursuant to longstanding House precedent, that's enough to trigger a vacancy. He can't take office January 3, 2025 https://t.co/egq6LIcuIL pic.twitter.com/Uowf0w4Zkb
— Derek T. Muller (@derektmuller) November 21, 2024
A closer look:
However, Gaetz could take office after January 3rd, 2025, if he reconsidered holding the office for Florida’s First Congressional District.
Incorrect. Gaetz cannot return to the House in this current term, which expires on Jan 3. He wouldn't be filling a vacancy on Jan 3, he'd be taking office for the term to which he was just elected this month. https://t.co/Zdz1L3HhN5
— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) November 21, 2024
“Remember: Matt Gaetz was elected to serve in the next Congress. He resigned from the 118th Congress,” Punchbowl News founder Jake Sherman commented.
Remember: Matt Gaetz was elected to serve in the next Congress. He resigned from the 118th Congress.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) November 21, 2024
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