Mel Martinez endorses Marco Rubio for president

A second former U.S. senator from Florida endorsed Marco Rubio for president Monday, as Mel Martinez’s support of Rubio was made official.

“”Marco is ready to lead this country as our president,” Martinez said in a prepared statement, “and I will do everything I can to make that happen.”

“Just like Marco’s family this country changed my life and my family’s history forever, and the best way to repay the debt I owe America in this election is to help Marco Rubio become our next president,” Martinez said. “Our country deserves to have Marco Rubio as our next president, because he will unite us and move us toward the common purpose of making the American Dream a reality for more Americans than ever before.”

“Marco understands better than anyone in this race what a special place America is and why, and he has all the right ideas and leadership abilities to make sure it remains that way. The stakes have never been higher in a Republican primary, and we need to stand with Marco as the only leader capable of uniting our party and our country.”

Former U.S. Sen. Connie Mack endorsed Florida’s junior U.S. senator earlier in the day.