MIAMI (AP) — Billionaire businessman Donald Trump is a part-time Florida resident — and a full-time problem for the home-state senator running for president, Marco Rubio.
Rubio is counting on Florida to reshape the Republican contest that Trump has dominated by winning three of the first four states to vote. Rubio's campaign acknowledges that a loss in Florida on March 15 could doom his chances.
With former Gov. Jeb Bush out of the race, Florida has sent a wave of support toward Rubio, replete with endorsements from top politicians and campaign cash from wealthy donors. It seems that, at last, Rubio has Florida's inside track all to himself.
One problem: Florida loves political outsiders and has twice elected as governor a billionaire businessman who mostly paid for his own campaign.
