Hegseth’s nomination remains uncertain as Republican senators express increasing concerns about his past behavior involving women and alcohol. This has reportedly led Trump to consider DeSantis as a potential backup replacement.
Hegseth, however, insists he is not withdrawing his name, despite reports that meetings with lawmakers scheduled for Thursday have been postponed. “I spoke to the president-elect this morning. He said, ‘Keep going, keep fighting. I’m behind you all the way,’” Hegseth told CBS News on Wednesday morning.
If DeSantis steps in to lead the Defense Department, it could trigger significant political shifts.
“It would cause a seismic shift and the political gamesmanship about who wants to pursue which seat in 2026,” said Ford O’Connell, a Florida Republican strategist.
According to state law, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Núñez (R-FL) would automatically succeed DeSantis as governor. Núñez would likely have an advantage in the 2026 gubernatorial race as the incumbent and could make history as Florida’s first female governor. However, she might face strong competition if former Rep. Matt Gaetz, whose attorney general bid recently faltered, or Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) enter the race. DeSantis is term-limited and cannot run for governor again in 2026.
O’Connell downplayed the idea of Núñez becoming the de facto frontrunner in 2026.
“I don’t think it’s going to help her be a front-runner because the bench is so deep in Florida. If someone like Byron Donalds were to get in that race, he’d automatically become the front-runner,” he said.
A source familiar with Florida Republican politics suggested another possible contender: “Some people are saying that Rick Scott might want to go back and be governor of Florida.”
Scott’s office did not respond to a request for comment, but his entry would further complicate a race that might already include Núñez, Gaetz, and Donalds.
The source also speculated that Gaetz and Donalds could collaborate: “If one chose to run for governor and the other for senator, they both could win” with Trump’s support.
DeSantis, meanwhile, is reportedly considering a replacement for Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), who has been tapped as Trump’s Secretary of State nominee. DeSantis could appoint Lara Trump, the president-elect’s daughter-in-law and co-chair of the Republican National Committee, to Rubio’s Senate seat.
“If I am appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and he feels that I’m the right fit to take over the U.S. Senate seat for Marco Rubio, those are big shoes to fill, but I would take it very seriously,” Lara Trump said at The Washington Post’s 2024 Global Women’s Summit in November.
There has also been speculation that DeSantis might appoint a placeholder, such as his chief of staff, James Uthmeier, and then run for Rubio’s Senate seat himself in 2026. However, if DeSantis becomes Defense Secretary, it could position him for a potential presidential run in 2028, though he would likely face Vice President-elect J.D. Vance in the primaries.
Republican strategist Dennis Lennox expressed doubts about DeSantis’s interest in returning to Washington, where he served as a congressman from 2013 to 2018.
“While the Pentagon is a plum gig, it’s hard to see how he could parlay that for something down the road. I suppose leaving the governorship early is the one way he can best position his lieutenant governor and heir presumptive, Jeanette Núñez, against a Matt Gaetz or Byron Donalds,” Lennox said.
“But if that’s his objective, then camping out in Marco Rubio’s Senate seat makes more sense. Going to the upper chamber would keep DeSantis on the scene until 2032, if J.D. Vance doesn’t keep the White House in 2028,” he added.
Floridians will also decide on April 1, 2025, who will replace Gaetz after his resignation from Congress. Trump has endorsed Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s chief financial officer, for the 1st Congressional District.
“As your next Congressman, Jimmy would work tirelessly alongside me to grow our economy, secure our border, stop migrant crime, strengthen our incredible military/vets, restore American energy DOMINANCE, and defend our always under siege Second Amendment,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“Should he decide to enter this race, Jimmy Patronis has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, JIMMY, RUN!” he added.
Patronis has already submitted his resignation to run for the seat. The primary is scheduled for January 28, 2025, with the special election set for April 1, 2025. His last day in office is March 31, 2025.
Floridians will also elect a successor to Rep. Mike Waltz, who is leaving Congress to become Trump’s national security advisor. State Sen. Randy Fine has launched his bid for Florida’s 6th Congressional District with Trump’s endorsement.
Trump praised Fine, saying he “needs fighters who will Make America Wealthy Again, Make America Safe Again, and someone who will stand up for Israel.” Fine confirmed his candidacy, writing on X, “That is why today I’m announcing my candidacy for FL 6th Congressional District.”
