Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster
The Republican Party of Florida said it welcomed Marco Rubio’s decision to run for re-election.
Rubio announced Wednesday he planned to run for a second term in 2016. The decision reverses an earlier pledge to return home at the end of his term.
“Keeping Florida’s U.S. 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 Sen. Rubio’s decision to run for re-election,” said Blaise Ingoglia, chairman of the state GOP, in a statement. “From the chambers of the Florida House to the U.S. Senate, Marco Rubio has proven himself as a bold leader who is focused on real solutions to the issues facing Floridians across the state and the nation.”
Several other Republicans are challenging Rubio. Both Carlos Beruff and Todd Wilcox said Wednesday they plan to continue to run for the seat. Two Republicans — Rep. David Jolly and Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera — have already dropped out of the race, and many expect Rep. Ron DeSantis will do the same.
