Marco Rubio: 'I changed my mind,' will run for re-election
Marco Rubio: 'I changed my mind,' will run for re-election
By Manu Raju and Tom LoBianco, CNN
Updated 11:55 AM ET, Wed June 22, 2016
(CNN)Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is seeking re-election to the Senate, publicly admitting he changed his mind and giving a boost for Republicans facing a tough fight to maintain their Senate majority in November.
Rubio emailed supporters Wednesday announcing his decision, acknowledging the sharp departure from his previous stance.
"In politics, admitting you've changed your mind is not something most people like to do. But here it goes," he wrote. "I have decided to seek reelection to the United States Senate."
Rubio's announcement marks a 180-degree turn from where he was even just a month ago, when he insisted he would give up his Senate seat at the end of this term.
Rubio also told Fox News' Chris Wallace, "I changed my mind."
The Florida freshmen said he had reversed course because "the Senate's role of being able to act as a check and balance on bad ideas from the president I think are going to matter more in 2017."
In his email, Rubio said he's aware his opponents will use his decision "to score political points against me."
"Have at it," Rubio wrote. "Because I have never claimed to be perfect, or to have all the answers."
Rubio is set to formally announce his plans later Wednesday, according to a source with knowledge of his plans. The decision follows a month of heavy lobbying from top Republicans and soul-searching on the part of Rubio after the Orlando attack.
Many Republican colleagues encouraged him to run, believing he's the party's best chance to keep the seat.
His former presidential primary opponent Sen. Ted Cruz announced his support shortly after news broke of Rubio's decision.
"Marco is a friend and has been an ally in many battles we have fought together in the Senate," Cruz said. "I'm glad to support him in his bid for re-election. Marco is a tremendous communicator and a powerful voice for the American Dream.
But not every Republican in the highly competitive Florida Senate primary was happy about the decision. Tea party favorite Ron DeSantis waved off questions about Rubio from a CNN reporter as he left a Capitol Hill meeting Wednesday morning.
Leading Democrats have already painted a bright target on Rubio -- Montana Democrat Jon Tester, leader of the Senate Democrats' campaign arm, said last week that beating Rubio could potentially kill any chances he has for the White House in 2020.
And the vicious Republican primary -- which Rubio exited only a few months ago -- is sure to be milled for attacks against Rubio.
Rep. Patrick Murphy, a favorite among establishment Democrats for the seat, quickly blasted Rubio on Twitter for missing numerous key Senate votes and intelligence briefings to campaign for the White House.
"Marco Rubio abandoned Florida. Unlike Rubio, I love working hard every single day for the people of Florida. #flsen," Murphy tweeted, shortly after news leaked that Rubio was running again.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/22/politi...r-senate-seat/
