Former U.S. Senator Marco Rubio was officially sworn in Tuesday as the Trump administration's secretary of state.
He was sworn in by Vice President J.D. Vance while standing next to his wife, Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio.
The vote to confirm him by the U.S. Senate on Monday was unanimous.
During remarks after he was sworn in, Rubio said he’s ready to promote President Donald Trump’s agenda.
“One of the primary goals of American foreign policies is the promotion of peace. Of course, peace through strength, peace and always without abandoning our values. But I think it's extraordinary that it's something that needs to be said and hasn't been said enough in recent memory. And we look forward to being a key part of helping the president achieve his agenda that he has a clear mandate to keep," he said.
He is the first member of Trump’s cabinet to get confirmed.
Meantime, in-person early voting has begun in parts of Northeast Florida in the special election to fill the seat of former U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, who will join the Trump administration as national security adviser.
Waltz resigned his House seatt effective Monday,
Waltz represented District 6, which includes all of Flagler and Putnam counties, as well as parts of St. Johns, Lake, Marion and Volusia counties.
On Nov. 25, after Waltz was nominated for the post, Gov. Ron DeSantis set a special election, with a primary Jan. 28 and a general election April 1. A mandatory early voting period for the primary ends Saturday.
Three Republicans and two Democrats qualified for the primaries in this race.
Republicans: Aaron Baker, Randy Fine, Ehsan Joarder.
Democrats: Josh Weil, George “Ges” Selmont.
Additional candidates have qualified for the general election and will appear on the April ballot along with the winners of the primaries.
Information from WJCT/Jacksonville Today partner News4Jax was used in this report.
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