Ivanka mulling Florida senate run in major snub to Trump ally Rubio

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With Donald Trump’s administration due to come to an end next month, the US president’s daughter and White House advisor, Ivanka Trump, could be considering a run for the US Senate in Florida in two years time, according to reports.

Ms Trump, who was said to be mulling over her political career as she prepares to leave Washington DC for Florida, could upset Republican ally Marco Rubio in the process.

The state’s senate seat - which Mr Rubio has held since 2011 - will be on the ballot in the 2022 midterms, and that could explain Ms Trump’s decision to settle there, a source told CNN.

She was said to believe Florida provided both safety and potential political opportunities with the state having swung for her father, president Trump, in last month’s vote.

"Ivanka definitely has political ambitions, no question about it," said the source, who has worked with Ms Trump. "She wants to run for something, but that still needs to be figured out."

At-capacity crowds have turned out to see her on the 2020 campaign in recent months, even amid the Covid-19 pandemic, and was said to have a credible chance in politics.

Adam C. Smith, a former Tampa Bay Times political editor and a consultant with Mercury Public Affairs, told CNN that Florida’s Senate seat would be possible, "Assuming she's not interested in a low-profile political office”.

He added that Mr Rubio, who opposed Mr Trump as a rival during the 2016 Republican presidential primaries but later turned to become an ally, would be unlikely to stop Ms Trump’s ambitions.  

"Marco Rubio is up for reelection in 2022 and is expected to run again. But I wouldn't think Rubio would deter her if she wanted to run,” said Mr Smith. “

The last time Marco Rubio ran against a Trump in Florida, in the 2016 presidential primary, Rubio was crushed by 19 percentage points."

The 39-year-old and her husband, Jared Kushner, recently purchased a property in the state, according to reports.

They are expected to settle in Florida once Mr Trump, who was also expected to relocate to Florida, departs the Oval Office on 20 January.