News

Actions

Marco Rubio wins Florida GOP nomination

Marco Rubio
Posted at 8:05 PM, Aug 30, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-30 16:21:14-04

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Sen. Marco Rubio has earned the support of Florida's Republican voters to seek a second term, a decision he made at the last minute after his failed presidential bid.

Rubio beat millionaire developer Carlos Beruff, the only major GOP candidate to stay in the race after Rubio decided to run for re-election two days before the deadline to make the ballot. He had said for months he wouldn't run again no matter what happened in the presidential race.

Rubio will now face the winner of the Democratic primary, either U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy or U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson.

Republican leaders encouraged Rubio to change his mind, seeing him as the best home to keep his seat in GOP hands as Democrats sought to regain a majority in the Senate.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)