Marco Rubio swore he was done with the Senate. But now he's running for re-election.
Just one month after tweeting that he'd "only said like 10000 times" that he'd be a "private citizen" come January, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) appears to have changed his mind. In an interview with the Miami Herald, Rubio confirmed weeks of rumors that he'd been re-considering his decision to leave the Senate. "The point that really drove me to change my mind is that as we enter this kind of new chapter in our history [with the presidential election] ... there's another role the Senate plays that I think can be really important," Rubio said, "and that's the power given to it in the Constitution to act as a check and balance on the excess of the president."
Rubio had reportedly begun telling some Republicans about his change of plans. He reportedly reached out to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), another one-time 2016 presidential candidate, to ask for his endorsement, though aides say Cruz declined the request because he didn't want to "be accused of nudging out U.S. Representative Ron DeSantis, the tea-party favorite in the race for Rubio's seat," The Washingtonian reports. DeSantis suggested last week that he would consider dropping out if Rubio decided to run.
Rubio's entry in the race comes just days ahead of the Friday deadline for candidate filings, and at the behest of his Republican colleagues. A close friend of Rubio's, Florida Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, has already told his supporters he'd back off if Rubio decides to run, and, last week, another Republican running for Rubio's seat, Rep. David Jolly, withdrew from the race.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Rubio is expected to make a formal announcement Wednesday afternoon. His candidacy greatly boosts the GOP's chances of retaining his Florida seat — one that could tip the Senate majority to either side of the aisle.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Tesla cuts prices in 'intensifying' EV war
Speed Read Electric vehicle giant has struggled in the face of weakening demand, competition from China and technical setbacks
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay: unwind at this picture-perfect resort
The Week Recommends The retreat that's ideal for recharging your batteries while experiencing life on an Indonesian island
By Yasemen Kaner-White Published
-
The World War Two experiments that made D-Day possible
Under The Radar Scientists performed gruelling tests on themselves paving the way for the iconic invasion
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How will Israel respond to Iran's direct attack?
Speed Read Iran’s weekend attack on Israel could escalate into a wider Middle East war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published