Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of President-elect Donald Trump, has officially withdrawn her name from consideration for the U.S. Senate seat in Florida that will be vacated by Marco Rubio. Rubio has been nominated by Trump for the position of Secretary of State, and his Senate seat will need to be filled by an appointee chosen by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Lara Trump, who had previously served as the co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC), announced her decision in a post on X. “After an incredible amount of thought, contemplation, and encouragement from so many, I have decided to remove my name from consideration for the United States Senate,” she stated. She expressed her honor in having served as RNC co-chair during what she described as “the most high-stakes election of our lifetime” and thanked the people of Florida and the country for their support.

Her withdrawal comes after speculation intensified about her potential run for the Senate, particularly following her resignation from the RNC. Lara Trump hinted at a “big announcement” slated for January, leaving open the possibility of other future public service roles, though she did not provide specifics.

Governor DeSantis is now tasked with appointing Rubio’s replacement, who will serve out the remainder of the term ending in 2026. The decision by Lara Trump to step back from the Senate race has sparked discussions about who DeSantis might choose and what this means for the political landscape in Florida and the broader Republican Party.

This announcement has been met with various reactions on social media and among political analysts, with some seeing it as a strategic move to maintain influence in different capacities within the political sphere.