There is seemingly a new name in consideration to replace Marco Rubio as the next U.S. Senator for Florida if he gets confirmed as President-elect Donald Trump's secretary of state: Rep. Brian Mast.
Governor Ron DeSantis has not provided any hints about his decision, but the wounded military veteran is being considered, according to a report by Floridian Press.
Insiders who talked to the outlet highlighted the optics of picking the former Army Ranger, who lost both of his legs and a digit in Afghanistan. However, they also recall DeSantis could remember that Mast was among the Florida lawmakers who snubbed his presidential candidacy and endorsed Trump instead.
Rep. Cory Mills is another veteran who could be in consideration, the outlet said, highlighting he has recently said he would be "honored" to succeed Rubio in the Senate. State Senator Jay Collins, a former Green Beret who lost his leg and endorsed DeSantis' presidential run also checks the boxes.
DeSantis has not given a clear timeline on his announcement and previous reports have elevated other candidates. Chief among them is Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, with Floridian Press quoting anonymous sources in Tallahassee back in mid-December saying she tops the list.
The outlet added that Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez is second in line for the post and Florida Chief of Staff James Uthmeier is third.
"The governor will be conducting a thorough vetting process and interview process in December that will involve several candidates," a DeSantis adviser told NBC News in late November, adding that the governor is "not in a hurry to make an important decision."
Lara Trump, the president-elect's daughter-in-law, withdrew from consideration in late December after he said she probably wouldn't get the post.
The president-elect said last week he didn't think Lara Trump would get the job when asked in a press conference. "I probably don't, but I don't know. Ron is doing a good job and it's his choice. It's got nothing to do with me," he added.
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