Lara Trump withdrew her name from consideration Saturday to replace Senator Rubio in the U.S. Senate, leaving Florida Governor Ron DeSantis back to square one.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will pick a replacement for Rubio, who is expected to resign as senator when Trump takes office on Jan. 20. There was speculation that Lara Trump, who served as co-chair of the Republican National Committee in the lead-up to the 2024 election,

Lara Trump made the surprise announcement on Saturday evening, posting a statement on X to explain the sudden change in plans.

Rubio, who if confirmed by the Senate will also be the first Latino to hold the post, is one of the most hawkish members of Congress when it comes to the communist-run island. Indeed, one recent profile of Trump’s pick for top diplomat described Rubio as “Cuba’s worst nightmare.

Lara Trump has withdrawn herself from consideration for Florida's Senate seat to replace outgoing Sen. Marco Rubio.

The announcement comes more than a month after the incoming president tapped Rubio as his secretary of state designee, prompting speculation that Lara Trump could fill the vacant seat in the US

The announcement comes after her father reportedly spoke with Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) about appointing Lara to the Senate seat.

The secretary of state nominee is hawkish on Havana – but his boss may be looking for diplomatic breakthroughs.

Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of President-elect Donald Trump, says she's removing herself from consideration for Marco Rubio's Senate seat.

President-elect Donald Trump opened the Senate seat by announcing Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as his secretary of state pick. AP About three years ago, both Lara Trump and her husband, Eric Trump, changed their residency to Florida. Trump’s daughter-in-law ...

The President-elect is bullish on the exiting Senator, Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio, describing the Miami Republican as a “star,” while saying his exit “leaves a vacancy in Florida, and Ron’s going to have to make that decision, and he’ll make the right decision.”

Having Trump's back on the world stage -- but how much can Marco Rubio sway policy? Joe Raedle/Getty Images The U.S. looks set to have its first-ever Cuban American secretary of state in 2025, after President-elect Donald Trump nominated U.S. Sen.