WASHINGTON — Sen. Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that he is running for re-election to his Florida Senate seat.
In a statement Wednesday, Rubio said he is reversing his plans to retire after concluding it was important to continue with public service at a critical time for the nation.
“I understand my opponents will try to use this decision to score political points against me. Have at it. Because I have never claimed to be perfect, or to have all the answers. Still, the people of Florida deserve to know why I’ve changed my mind,” Rubio also said in a statement.
“The Senate is also a place from which you can perform great services for the people you have the honor of representing. And I am proud of the work we have done to help thousands of Floridians over the last six years,” he said.
The first-term senator said that control of the Senate could come down to the race in Florida, which would mean the future of the Supreme Court, as well as critical policy deals, could be determined by the Florida Senate race.
Two weeks ago, Channel 9’s Christopher Heath spoke with Rubio.
"I'm just focused on doing our job here and finishing strong in the Senate, and intend to be a private citizen in January," Rubio said during the interview.
But things have changed.
Rubio said that "the stakes for our nation could not be higher."
Rubio's presidential camping still has almost $2 million in debt, and Democrats have started their assault, painting Rubio as a political opportunist, running for Senate just so he can run for president again in four years.
"He still has presidential ambitions and wants to be president. It is much easier to do that if you are in elected office," said WFTV political analyst Maria Padilla.
Padilla said while Rubio is the favorite in the GOP primary, the general election will be a much tougher race.
The Democratic Party has already reserved $20 million in ad time between now and November.
Republicans have zero.
Rubio had been under intense pressure from party leaders, including Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell, to run because they were concerned the other candidates couldn't keep the seat in GOP hands.
The Republican Party of Florida Chairman, Blaise Ingoglia, released the following statement: “Keeping Florida’s US Senate seat Republican is a top priority for our party and for hardworking Floridians who reject Democrats’ policies of ineffective government that put Washington first. That is why we welcome Senator Rubio’s decision to run for reelection. From the chambers of the Florida House to the U.S. Senate, Marco Rubio has proven himself as bold leader who is focused on real solutions to the issues facing Floridians across the state and to the nation.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Cox Media Group
