Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster
Some Republicans may be shying away from the Republican National Convention; Carlos Beruff doesn’t appear to be one of them.
On Monday, POLITICO reported dozens of prominent Republicans, including governors, senators and House members are saying they were not interested in speaking at the convention, and many stated that they weren’t going to Cleveland at all.
According to the report, Marco Rubio — a 2016 presidential hopeful who recently announced he was running for re-election to his Senate seat — said it was unlikely he’d be asked to speak, and if he does “it won’t be on Trump’s behalf.”
Beruff, who is challenging Rubio in the Aug. 30 Republican primary, said Monday he would happily take Rubio’s slot at the convention if offered.
“I’m happy to take Marco Rubio’s slot at the Republican National Convention because I’m not ashamed of Donald Trump as our nominee,” said Beruff in a statement. “Trump is motiving voters across Florida and the country who have felt ignored by the Republican and Democratic establishment alike. He’s looking to shake up Washington, and I’m behind him 100 percent.”
A Manatee County homebuilder, Beruff compared himself to Trump, saying the New York Republican is a “businessman with real-world experience who’s looking to shake up the status quo in Washington.”
“The career politicians in Washington are always afraid to lose power, and candidates like Trump and myself challenge their authority,” said Beruff. “It’s no surprise that Marco Rubio and others are shying away from supporting Donald Trump.”
