ALFREDO ORTIZ: Keep Rubio’s Senate Seat In Hispanic Hands

The liberal media and Democrat activist groups are in overdrive trying to dig up enough dirt on President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks to scuttle as many nominations as possible.

But at least one nominee is unlikely to fail: Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of State. Even progressive firebrand Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts admitted that Rubio is “qualified” and has the right experience. California Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, an incoming senator, called Rubio “enormously well-qualified.” And Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania said he’s a “fan.”

Rubio’s likely confirmation means Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will need to appoint a successor to fill his Senate seat.

“Florida deserves a senator who will help President Trump deliver on his election mandate, be strong on immigration and border security, take on the entrenched bureaucracy and administrative state, reverse the nation’s fiscal decline, be animated by conservative principles, and has a proven record of results,” wrote DeSantis, saying he plans to make his choice by early January.

DeSantis’ pick has extra importance given Florida’s emerging role as the center of today’s conservative movement. The Sunshine State’s new senator will immediately vault into a prominent position within the party.

Florida has a deep conservative bench and no shortage of talented prospects responsible for the state’s remarkable Republican transformation.

Yet DeSantis should consider holding the seat for a fellow Hispanic in Rubio’s mold to reflect Florida’s sizeable Latino population and its growing role in Republican electoral success.