Jacob Ogles
Sen. Marco Rubio announced Communications Director Olivia Perez-Cubas, his longtime spokeswoman, will leave his office after five years. To replace her, he promoted three members of his staff and hired a new press secretary as well.
“For the past five years, Olivia has been a key part of the team,” Rubio said.
“She was one of the first hires on my presidential campaign, traveled all over Florida with me during my Senate campaign, and ultimately came back to Washington to lead our communications efforts in the Senate. I am grateful for her distinguished service to the United States Senate and the people of Florida, and wish her the very best in her new opportunity.”
Rubio will divide Perez-Cubas’ responsibilities between three communications staffers: Arielle Mueller, Laura Ortiz and Justine Sanders. He also hired Nick Iacovella as his new Press Secretary for Domestic and National Issues.
Iocavella previously served as Press Secretary for Bob Hugin, the 2018 Republican Senate nominee in New Jersey. He previously worked for Heritage Action for America, the political arm of the conservative Heritage Foundation. Before that, Iocavella worked in legislative and communications capacities within the U.S. House.
Mueller now takes over as Press Secretary for Florida issues. She will also work as press secretary for the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, which Rubio chairs. She worked most recently as Deputy Press Secretary in Rubio’s Senate office.
Ortiz, currently Rubio’s Hispanic Media Director, now will handle foreign policy inquiries and outreach for the Senate office.
Sanders, previously, Rubio’s Senate office press assistant, will serve as Deputy Press Secretary.
Perez-Cubas started as an intern in Rubio’s press shop in 2013, according to her LinkedIn page, but quickly rose through ranks to become a chief spokesperson.
She served as Media Director for Rubio’s presidential campaign from April 2015 until the operation closed shop in March 2016. She came into Rubio’s Senate office as press secretary shortly afterward, and was promoted to Communications Director in April 2017.
She will now “pursue opportunities outside Congress,” according to a release from Rubio’s press team.
