
The throng of influential Republicans rushing to endorse former President Donald Trump now includes Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL). Just before the Iowa caucus rolled out, the Florida lawmaker threw his support behind the 45th president.
Also significant is that his backing is a direct snub to Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is running for the GOP nomination.
In his Sunday announcement, Rubio became the 23rd U.S. senator to endorse the former president. He posted on X, formerly Twitter, that Democrat Joe Biden’s incompetence means Trump needs to take “extraordinary actions” to put the nation back on track.
RUBIO ENDORSES TRUMP: On the eve of the Iowa caucuses, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., officially endorsed former President Trump for the GOP presidential nomination. MORE: https://t.co/I5Yb13HYq6 pic.twitter.com/nGLd1RJlBd
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) January 15, 2024
Rubio wrote, “I support Trump because that kind of leadership is the ONLY way we will get the extraordinary actions needed to fix the disaster Biden has created. It’s time to get on with the work of beating Biden & saving America.”
The Florida Republican noted that Trump did not bend the knee for special interests or allow bureaucrats to block his agenda.
Rubio’s declaration aligns with the previous announcement by Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL). This means both senators from the Sunshine State turned their backs on their own governor to support the 45th president’s nomination.
Scott announced his backing of Trump in November along with his pledge to remain out of the Republican race.
Trump holds a significant advantage among GOP voters in Florida despite DeSantis’ presence.
Results from a survey conducted by The Hill and Decision Desk HQ showed the former president with a staggering 42.1% lead over the state’s own governor. Trump drew 61% of Republican support while DeSantis garnered only 18.8%.
Florida’s primary voters head to the polls on March 19.
Rubio’s decision came despite a sometimes contentious history between him and Trump. The two were rivals for the 2016 GOP bid and squared off directly against each other on more than one occasion.
His announcement preceded the Iowa caucus by one day and followed that of another former Trump rival, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R). The Republican also cast his support behind the frontrunner.