I don't know who his successor is. But I can assure you that His Excellency the Consul will handpick him and put him in place to be ratified by the electorate.
He will have to do so soon as appointing him doesn't mean acceptance by the rest of the PNC, or its grass roots voting base. If they don't like who he picks they can stay home.
Region 4 was 113,500 in 2015 for APNU/AFC vs. 91,500 in 2006 when they stayed home.
Some Roman Imperators (the good ones) did "adopt" their rivals as their heirs and successors so Nigel Hughes has a pretty decent shot depending on his behavior in the new Government.
A Roman Patrician Consul in Republican Rome does what's best for State. There is a compelling argument for fellow patrician Nigel Highes.
In fact leaving Nigel out for now allowed Cathy to be Minister. If Nigel is appointed as a VP (when some old man retires) it will not be seen as nepotism.