"In politics, admitting you’ve changed your mind is not something most people like to do. But here it goes. I have decided to seek reelection to the United States Senate." -Senator Marco Rubio
Last week, Florida Senator and former presidential candidate Marco Rubio announced his decision regarding whether or not he runs for re-election to the United States Senate. In a not-so-surprising fashion, Marco declared he was running. A reversal of his previous decision to become a private citizen in January, once his term in the Senate was over. The original decision to not seek re-election was made with the anticipation that Rubio would be the next President of the United States.
As a conservative Republican who worked on Rubio's campaign in Virginia, South Carolina, and on my own campus, I want to thank Marco Rubio. Our country and our party needs him now more than ever. Our Republican majority in the Senate may come down to Rubio's Florida seat, so having a Senator and a leader like Marco running for re-election, may likely help us keep our Senate majority.
In principle, Marco Rubio is still the future of the Republican Party and six more years in the United States Senate will ensure six more years of a strong, smart, conservative voice in the Senate. Throughout his presidential campaign, Marco established himself as a common sense leader who uses his optimistic conservative message to inspire and bring out the best of people. While voters in the primary sought out a much more twisted and skewed version of "conservatism," Rubio will be able to join our friends in Washington like Speaker Paul Ryan and Senator Tim Scott, in order to provide a better way for Americans. These leaders will provide better alternatives, both in policy and in principle, to Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. Both of whom, will need to be kept in check during their four years in the White House.
Rubio's announcement has already united factions of the Party, from the moderate wing to the evangelical conservatives. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush tweeted last week, "Joining many conservatives in supporting Marco Rubio. Nothing more important than to #SaveTheSenate." Senator Ted Cruz, one time Marco Rubio's bitter rival for the Republican presidential nomination, said in a Facebook post "Marco Rubio is a friend and has been an ally in many battles we have fought together in the Senate. Im glad to support him in his bid for re-election."
Marco Rubio will still face a tough general election opponent, likely to be Rep. Patrick Murphy, a Florida House Democrat. Although, early polling suggests Marco has a comfortable lead in the race and recent reports have refuted Murphy's claim of being a CPA and a small business owner. Despite Rubio's crushing primary loss in his home state of Florida by Donald Trump, Rubio looks to have an easy primary opponent in August. He has considerable support from almost all of the Republican candidates who dropped their bids once Rubio announced his decision last week.
I'll be following this election closely and I am thrilled that my Marco Rubio merchandise can still remain usable and relevant.
