'More powerful by the minute': Trump reportedly handing gift to old foe with Cabinet picks

With Donald Trump appointing Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) as national security adviser — and possibly appointing Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) as secretary of state, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will be tasked with selecting replacements.

Politico reports the president-elect is "triggering a major shakeup" in the Sunshine State by giving DeSantis "a powerful opportunity to shape his legacy and potentially set up his political future" following his failed presidential bid earlier this year.

"Everyone who wrote Gov. Ron DeSantis’ obituary following the presidential election is an idiot," Florida GOP consultant Anthony Pedicini told Politico.

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"The governor everyone said was a lame duck is getting more powerful by the minute."

Politico reports, "Two people close to the governor previously told POLITICO that he would likely look to Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, former Florida House Speaker Jose Oliva or chief of staff James Uthmeier as possible replacements."

The news outlet notes that "appointing Nuñez, who is a longtime close friend to Rubio, would be historic," considering "she would be the first Cuban American woman in the Senate, while either Nuñez or Moody would be only the second woman senator to ever represent Florida."

Politico reports:

It’s possible that Trump will continue to choose leaders from Florida to fill his administration, particularly given that incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles has deep roots in the state. The House and Senate seats alone are already upending Florida’s future political landscape, as both Waltz and Rubio were considered possible candidates for the 2026 governor’s race.

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Regarding Waltz's seat, the Republican governor "would need to set a date to hold a special election, a move that would likely take a few months in order to meet various deadlines and requirements," the report notes.

"If there was any doubt that Florida is not the Republican epicenter of American politics this is proof that it is now," Pedicini told Politico.

Politico's full report is available at this link.