Lara Trump withdraws from consideration to replace Rubio in US Senate

1:20 pm on 22 December 2024

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 16: Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump appears on stage on the second day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 16, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party's presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. Alex Wong/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by ALEX WONG / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump appears on stage during the Republican National Convention on 16 July, 2024. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images/AFP

Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of US President-elect Donald Trump, said on Saturday (local time) that she has removed her name from consideration to replace outgoing US Senator Marco Rubio.

Rubio was picked by Trump to serve as secretary of state. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will pick a replacement for Rubio, who is expected to resign as senator when Trump takes office on 20 January.

There was speculation that Lara Trump, who served as co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) in the lead-up to the 2024 US election, would succeed Rubio in the Senate.

(FILES) Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump greets Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, during a campaign rally at the J.S. Dorton Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, on November 4, 2024. - President-elect Trump is expected to name Rubio as secretary of state, The New York Times reported late on November 11, 2024. It quoted three people as saying that the decision is not final, but that Trump appears to have settled on Rubio, a loyalist whom Trump passed over as his vice presidential running mate. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly / AFP)

US President-elect Donald Trump greets Senator Marco Rubio during a campaign rally on 4 November. Photo: RYAN M. KELLY/AFP

However, in a post on X, Trump said she had decided to remove herself from consideration "after an incredible amount of thought, contemplation, and encouragement from so many".

"I could not have been more honoured to serve as RNC co-chair during the most high-stakes election of our lifetime and I'm truly humbled by the unbelievable support shown to me by the people of our country, and here in the great state of Florida," she said.

Trump is married to Eric Trump, Donald Trump's son.

She said she has a "big announcement" to share in January but did not provide details. Trump said she remains passionate about public service and looks forward to serving again in the future.

While noting there was already strong interest from possible candidates, DeSantis said last month that a selection would likely be made by early January.

- Reuters