@PatriciaMazzei
Marco Rubio, who chose to run for president instead of re-election, acknowledged Thursday that some fellow Republicans have urged him to consider staying in the U.S. Senate.
Rubio said he's heard over the past day or so from Capitol Hill colleagues and a few Florida activists concerned the GOP might lose Florida's open, swing seat -- risking Republican Senate control.
Still, Rubio insisted his position to leave the Senate hasn't change, noting that he made the decision when he launched his presidential campaign last year to give other Republicans enough time to prepare their campaigns. One of those candidates is Rubio's friend, Florida Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera.
But Lopez-Cantera lags behind much of the crowded field in fundraising. And none of his rivals have broken out in polls, which worries national Republicans about their chances against the eventual Democratic nominee.
"I understand the argument," Rubio said, adding that "people here have approached me" to run.
"If the circumstances were different, but they're not," he said. "This is the facts: that Carlos is in the race, he's a good friend, he's a good candidate, he'll be a great senator. And so my answer today is no different than it was 24, 48, 72 hours ago."
Does that mean he'd jump in if Lopez-Cantera were to drop out before the June 24 qualifying deadline?
"I don't do hypotheticals," Rubio said.
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