Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is planning to announce today that he is running for president in 2016.
The junior senator from the Sunshine State is set to hold an event in Miami today to make the formal announcement. But a Rubio advisor spoiled the surprise by telling CNN that Rubio plans on running and is “uniquely qualified” to discuss the future on the campaign trail. The Associated Press also reported that Rubio already told donors in a conference call this morning that he is running.
Rubio, 43, was elected into office in 2010 during the Tea Party wave. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who is also running for president, was also elected that year. The third Republican candidate to officially announce, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, is also a first-term senator.
Like Cruz, Rubio will be try to attract younger voters with his youth and offers a major shift from established GOP politicians. Rubio could also attract Hispanic voters, who overwhelmingly supported President Barack Obama in 2012. Rubio is the son of Cuban exiles and was against Obama’s decision to open relations with Cuba.
However, Rubio might have an issue trying to get GOP support within his own state. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is expected to run, which would set up a major fight during the March 15, 2016 primary.
As The New York Times notes, Rubio will likely campaign with the themes and messages from his American Dreams book. He will head to New Hampshire on Friday.
The only Democrat to formally announced a run for the Oval Office in 2016 is Hillary Clinton.