**Trump's Florida Picks Stir Political Repercussions**

In a decisive reshuffling of political cards, President-elect Donald Trump is drawing significantly from Florida for key positions in his administration, causing a ripple effect through the state's political landscape. As he makes selections from his private club in Palm Beach, Trump has appointed Sen. Marco Rubio as the next secretary of state, Rep. Matt Gaetz as attorney general, and Rep. Mike Waltz as the national security adviser.

Gaetz's appointment to head the Department of Justice has been particularly controversial due to the prior investigation against him regarding allegations of sex trafficking—claims he staunchly denies. This nomination has sent shockwaves through Washington, and his confirmation remains uncertain. Gaetz resigned from his congressional seat in northwest Florida's 1st District on Wednesday night, effectively halting a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use.

In the meantime, Waltz, representing Florida's 6th District, and Rubio have yet to resign their positions, prompting Florida Republicans to calculate the implications of these impending vacancies. According to federal and state law, filling an open U.S. House seat requires a special election, allowing voters to directly elect the next representative. In contrast, for a Senate vacancy, Governor Ron DeSantis has the authority to appoint a replacement for Rubio, subject to Senate confirmation. This appointee would serve until the next scheduled election in 2026.

One intriguing possibility being discussed is DeSantis appointing himself to the Senate. Tallahassee-based elections lawyer Ron Meyer remarked, “I’m not familiar with anything that prevents him from naming himself, other than hubris, I suppose.” Given DeSantis's gubernatorial term ends in 2026 and his potential interest in a presidential bid in 2028, political analysts suggest it might not be advantageous for him to move to the Senate. Florida’s first lady, Casey DeSantis, has also emerged as a potential candidate, although her political ambitions remain speculative.

As Trump prepares to transition to the White House with a distinct Florida influence, these developments will be closely watched, carrying significant implications for the state's political future and beyond.