Staff Reports
The political chessboard is shaking up once again as President-elect Donald Trump starts filling key positions in his administration, potentially leaving some nerves jangling among party members. Trump’s picks include the astute House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to become the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and Rep. Mike Waltz as national security adviser. These moves are noteworthy not just for their significance, but for the delightful chaos they will bring—after all, where a Republican goes, a vacancy often follows.
With the announcement of Stefanik and Waltz ascending to national prominence, this means that at least two House seats will soon be vacant. For those keeping score, the Constitution is crystal clear: when a seat is emptied, it’s time for a special election. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who’s been knitting sweaters of political strategy, doesn’t have the authority to appoint a replacement for Waltz. Rather, he’ll have to gear up schedule a special election sooner than a toddler asking for a cookie.
Here’s what happens to Waltz and Rubio seats if vacated for Trump Cabinet positions https://t.co/z0G9w6XaNe via @dcexaminer
— Cosmic Neighbors (@NeighborsCosmic) November 12, 2024
In the Senate arena, the expected appointment of Sen. Marco Rubio as secretary of state opens up yet another seat that DeSantis has all the legal power to fill. With the chance to appoint someone who could hold a senator’s seat through 2026, the governor will have plenty of potential candidates ready to stride into the spotlight. Speculations swirl around favorites like Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, Attorney General Ashley Moody, or even former House Speaker Jose Oliva. There’s even talk of DeSantis himself making a bold leap into the Senate, ensuring that he remains a central figure in Florida politics as his governorship ticks down to its term limit in 2026.
Among those in DeSantis’s orbit, there’s a quirky scenario under the radar: the idea that he might coordinate with Nunez for a little maneuvering. If they both resigned from their roles, she could step into the governorship and appoint him directly to the Senate seat. Now, that’s a power play that would make even the most seasoned political strategists arch an eyebrow. DeSantis’s ambition is certainly no secret, and with an eye on 2028, this move might just be the tactical brilliance that could set the stage for something bigger.
Meanwhile, Trump’s appointment of South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as secretary of homeland security brings in another layer of intrigue. With Noem leaving her governorship, South Dakota Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden is waiting in the wings to fill her shoes, ensuring that there’s still some solid conservative leadership on the ground. As the Republicans gear up to maintain their House majority—albeit now slightly weakened by a couple of vacancies—House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise are trying to keep the troops in line and stave off any more unexpected departures.
And let’s not forget the Democrats lurking in the shadows. As Gov. Kathy Hochul readies herself to call a special election for Stefanik’s New York seat, the countdown is on. She has ten days to act, with the election needing to follow within a window that’s tighter than a pair of too-small skinny jeans at a barbecue. The probabilities of campaign shenanigans and electoral surprises abound, promising a delightful mix of election drama that every political junkie will be watching closely. The political theater, ladies and gentlemen, is back in session.
