Marco Rubio hints at possible Senate re-election bid

Rubio said last month that Lopez-Cantera’s presence in the race was one major reason he has not re-entered the race. Plus, he could lose a national platform that being a senator provides. Rubio mentioned that consideration again on Monday.

Rubio has backed his friend and fellow Republican, Florida Lieutenant Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera, in Florida’s August primary contest for his Senate seat. Marco Rubio made the decision to run for re-election.

Speaking with radio host Hugh Hewitt – who during the interview urged Rubio to run – the senator stressed that he has not thought about the attack “from a political perspective” and reiterated that running is “not part of our plan as a family”.

“The events in Orlando are so compelling that given fact that he’s really become not only educated on national security issues but pretty passionate and articulate about them I think he has to think about it”, she said.

Rubio said he and his family were praying on the issue, and said they would be discussing how he could best serve. It seems to me much better to still be in the game (in Washington) than coming from the private sector (a la Jeb Bush, Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney).

Following the Sandy Hook massacre of schoolchildren – in which the shooter used a weapon similar to Mateen’s semiautomatic rifle – Rubio joined his Republican colleagues in voting down a renewed assault weapons ban and a separate measure to expand background checks.

If Rubio decides to run, the calculus will be different – and more risky – than he’s ever had before in politics, said David Custin, Republican political consultant from Miami. If he runs for re-election, Jolly would face Democrat Charlie Crist. DSCC spokeswoman Sadie Weiner said Rubio has an “impossible record” to defend, citing his missed votes, support for Trump – whom Rubio himself once called a “con artist” who should not have access to the country’s nuclear codes – and his opposition to the gun bill.

The pair, who have been friends for two decades, had a conversation Sunday evening near the scene of the Orlando terror attack.

Rubio, who dropped out of the presidential race in March, has advocated a hard line against Islamic terrorism.

The crowded GOP field also includes Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) and businessmen Carlos Beruff and Todd Wilcox. Jack Latvala, to run for re-election.