Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of US President-elect Donald Trump, has withdrawn her name from consideration for a seat in the Senate. She had previously stepped down as co-chairwoman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) in August, sparking speculation that she might replace outgoing Senator Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, who Trump has nominated for secretary of state.
In a post on X, Lara Trump said she had removed herself from consideration “after an incredible amount of thought, contemplation, and encouragement from so many”. She wished Florida Governor Ron DeSantis luck in hand-picking a replacement to serve out the remainder of Rubio’s six-year term, which ends in 2026.
Trump expressed her gratitude for the support she received as RNC co-chair during the 2020 presidential election, saying she was “honoured to have served” and was “truly humbled by the unbelievable support shown to me by the people of our country, and here in the great state of Florida”.
Trump also revealed that she has a “big announcement” to share in January, but did not provide further details. She had been elected RNC co-chair in March, solidifying her father-in-law’s influence over the party as he campaigned for the presidency. Alongside her husband, Eric, and her older brother, Don Jr, she emerged as one of the top campaign surrogates for the Republican candidate in the run-up to the election.