ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has named Attorney General Ashley Moody to replace U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who nears a confirmation vote to become part of President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet.
The governor made the announcement on Thursday during a news conference at Rosen Plaza, not far from Orlando.
Rubio is ever closer to his confirmation vote in the Senate, tapped by Trump in November to be the country’s next secretary of state. At his confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Rubio promised an “America First” foreign policy agenda.
Rubio’s confirmation vote could come as soon as Monday, what would be in sync with DeSantis’ remarks on Wednesday as he told a crowd in Polk County that he expected the U.S. senator would vacate his position on Monday afternoon.
DeSantis signaled he would appoint James Uthmeier, his chief of staff, as Florida’s attorney general once the position is available.
ClickOrlando.com is currently updating this story to reflect the latest information.
Watch the news conference again in the video player below or by clicking here.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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