With a U.S. Senate vacancy looming, Governor Ron DeSantis has a chance to do something truly groundbreaking—or to stick with business as usual. While the usual roster of party loyalists and insiders is likely being polished up for consideration, it would serve the Governor well to think outside the political echo chamber. Might I suggest appointing a Libertarian?

Yes, a Libertarian. Specifically, Feena Bonoan, the Libertarian Party of Florida’s recent nominee for U.S. Senate. Libertarians bring a refreshing perspective to the table: "freedom first." We view the heavy-handed powers of government as a last resort—an absolute measure of desperation, used only when all other options have failed. Imagine that perspective in Washington, where the default setting seems to be "pass another law and throw more money at it." Florida could inject some much-needed common sense into the national conversation.

Of course, I suspect Governor DeSantis’s priorities may lie elsewhere. The likeliest outcome? Some deserving party operative will receive the honor—probably someone who knows all the right people and checks all the establishment boxes. But if the Governor truly wants to conduct a "thorough inventory" of the possibilities, as any good executive should, he’d be remiss not to consider Feena Bonoan.

So, Governor, before you rubber-stamp your decision and hand another title to a political insider, how about surprising everyone? Give the people of Florida a voice that champions their freedom over government interference. Put Feena on the shortlist—or at least pretend you did.

— Larry Gillis, Cape Coral
Former Director-at-Large, Libertarian Party of Florida