A.G. Gancarski
On Wednesday, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry told FloridaPolitics.com he thinks Sen. Marco Rubio should run for re-election to the U.S. Senate.
“I think Marco ought to run,” Curry said.
One compelling reason, said Curry, is personal for the mayor. Rubio “stood by some of Jacksonville’s most vulnerable people” in his recent actions on behalf of the residents of Eureka Garden.
And, notes Curry, Rubio took action on behalf of Eureka Garden residents “when running for president,” doing the “right thing by Jacksonville,” and not trying to exploit it for a “press hit.”
“He’s consistent,” Curry said of Rubio, and a “trusted conservative,” someone Curry has known for seven years and counting.
“I plan on letting him know we need him in the Senate,” Curry continued. “I’m going to call him and tell him. He should run; there’s no question in my mind.”
Urging Rubio to run is no reflection on the other candidates in the GOP field, whom Curry said he believes are “qualified” and could be successful in the Senate.
But the realpolitik is real.
“He’s been there,” Curry said, and “I think he can win.”
Curry mentioned one caveat: the senator’s family.
“If he can get his family on board,” Curry said, Rubio should run.
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Curry is by no means the only person urging Rubio to consider a re-election campaign.
“I’m asking him to run,” Curry said, and so are “others,” including Rubio’s colleagues in the Senate.
Curry had told FloridaPolitics.com he was not pressuring Rubio to run again in May, yet after time for serious reflection, he was able to come to his current position.
“We need Marco Rubio for the skills he brings to the table. He will win,” Curry said.
