Conservatives eye Rubio replacement

The Senate Conservatives Fund (SCF) and FreedomWorks are nudging Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) to run to replace Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), as he vacates his seat to run for president.

“With Senator Rubio leaving the Senate next year, it’s extremely important for conservatives in Florida to elect a principled leader to replace him,” SCF president Ken Cuccinelli said in a statement.

“We’re looking at all of the candidates, but if Congressman Ron DeSantis decides to run, we will seriously consider supporting his campaign. Ron has a strong conservative record in the House, he listens to the grassroots in Florida, and has the ability to win this important race.”

FreedomWorks spokesman Adam Brandon also lauded DeSantis for his opposition to Common Core and ObamaCare in a statement.

“Cong. DeSantis is exactly the kind of courageous conservative we need in the U.S. Senate,” he said. “FreedomWorks activists hope he will run for Senate.”

{mosads}Rubio announced his decision Monday, which could set off a domino effect within the Florida GOP. 

DeSantis praised Rubio in a statement and acknowledged his interest in his Senate seat, adding that he will decide in the “next several weeks.”

“We need a new generation of leaders who will promote policies that will foster economic growth and alleviate the middle class squeeze, defend America’s national security against those who threaten our people, reform the culture of Washington, D.C., and reassert the constitutional principles that make our country unique,” he said.

“Whatever shape my future service takes, I look forward to doing my part to help get our country back on track.”

DeSantis, a former Navy JAG officer who served in Iraq, is a second-term congressman. He serves on three plum committees for a young lawmaker: the Foreign Affairs, Oversight and Judiciary panels. 

A number of Florida politicians on both sides of the aisle are eyeing the swing-state seat. On the Republican side, Lt. Gov. Carlos López-Cantera (R) is also thought to be considering a bid. Florida CFO Jeff Atwater (R) changed his mind over the weekend and decided against running, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Among Democrats, Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Fla.) has already announced his candidacy, and Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) is also mulling a bid. 

This story was updated at 4:33 p.m.