Rubio reverses course, seeks re-election

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., former Republican presidential candidate, said Wednesday he will seek reelection for his Senate seat, reversing a pledge he made a year ago to either win his bid for the White House or leave politics.

In a statement explaining his decision, Rubio said he realized his change will be used against him but that “there was simply too much at stake for any other choice.”

Just what is at stake? For Republicans, the Florida Senate seat could be the difference between a Republican- or Democratic-controlled Senate. Rubio’s name recognition and popularity make him the strongest candidate to keep the seat in Republican control.

But Rubio said even more was at stake for him: the future of the country.

“That means the future of the Supreme Court will be determined by the Florida Senate seat,” Rubio said. “It means the future of the disastrous Iran nuclear deal will be determined by the Florida Senate seat. It means the direction of our country’s fiscal and economic policies will be determined by this Senate seat. The stakes for our nation could not be higher.”

The announcement surprised some Republican senators who hadn’t heard the news yet. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, told WORLD he tried to influence Rubio’s decision to run.

“Ten days ago I urged him to [run for reelection], and I told him I’d help him if he did,” Grassley said.

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., said Rubio will have to answer questions regarding the reversal of his decision to his Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

“Marco made the decision to run, and I think it’s fine, but, the truth is, there’s a lot of things he’s got to explain,” Tester said. “Is this the second prize? How come he missed so many votes? Is he going to run for president again in two or three years?”

Overall, the reaction from Rubio’s fellow Senate Republicans was enthusiastic.

“It’s very good news for the country,” said Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. “He is terrific as a senator. He is terrific as a national spokesman. He is full of very good ideas, and I’m very excited and delighted that he’s decided to run again.”

Rumblings in the media wondering if Rubio could run for reelection began after the Orlando terror attack where Omar Mateen killed 49 people at Pulse, a gay nightclub in the city. Last Wednesday, Rubio told reporters as he entered a Capitol Hill briefing that he took “very seriously everything that’s going on—not just in Orlando, but in our country.” He said he would go home and consider his options over Father’s Day weekend.

The announcement came in the nick of time. The deadline to file petitions in Florida to run for Senator is this Friday.

The decision to continue his career in politics comes barely three months after Rubio, 45, ended his presidential bid after a substantial loss to Donald Trump in his home state.

Despite their clashing presidential campaigns, even Donald Trump was among those encouraging Rubio to run tweeting, “Important to keep the MAJORITY. Run Marco!”