Marco Rubio 'changed his mind', will run for re-election to US Senate

The Florida Senator had maintained that he would work in the private sector; he is expected to carry out a presidential run in 2020 or 2024

Florida Senator Marco Rubio (AP)

After months of insisting he will not be seeking re-election as Florida senator, Marco Rubio made a last-minute reversal and announced quite the opposite - that he will, in fact, run for the seat again.

“In politics, admitting you've changed your mind is not something most people like to do. But here it goes,” Mr Rubio, 45, said in a statement on his website. “I have decided to seek re-election to the United States Senate.”

The first term senator expressed his frustration with the slow-pace and gridlock that he says currently plagues the Senate. While he had been expected to enter the private sector and possibly run for president in 2020 or 2024, Mr Rubio stressed the importance of work in the Senate, particularly if either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton should become the next president.

“No matter who is elected president, there is reason for worry,” he said.

If Ms Clinton is president, Mr Rubio explains, both the economy and foreign policy would falter.

“And even worse,” he added, “if Clinton were president and her party took control of Congress, she would govern without Congressional oversight or limit.”

Mr Rubio also explained that although a Trump presidency is “worrisome”, he is willing to work with and stand up to him.

“It is no secret that I have significant disagreements with Donald Trump. His positions on many key issues are still unknown. And some of his statements, especially about women and minorities, I find not just offensive but unacceptable,” he said.

Senate, according to Mr Rubio, would have to help steer Mr Trump in the “right direction”.

Although Mr Rubio has the advantage of being the incumbent, alongside name recognition, and the full backing of the Republican establishment. Still, the effects of Mr Trump on the party may prove damaging for Mr Rubio, who suffered defeat to the New York tycoon in the Florida primaries in March.

Mere hours after the announcement of his reversal, Mr Rubio has already earned the endorsement of one of his former rivals, Texas Sen Ted Cruz.

“Marco is a tremendous communicator and a powerful voice for the American Dream,” Mr Cruz said in a statement. “At this time of great challenges, we very much need strong leaders in the Senate who will fight to restore economic growth, to defend our constitutional liberties, and to ensure a strong national security for our nation.”

Politicians vying for Mr Rubio’s seat, however, had tough words for the born-again candidate.

“This isn't Marco Rubio's seat; this is Florida's seat,” said GOP developer Carlos Beruff, breaking from other candidates who said they would step aside for the incumbent.

He continued: “The power brokers in Washington think they can control this race. They think they can tell the voters of Florida who their candidates are. But the voters of Florida will not obey them.”

Democratic candidate, Rep Patrick Murphy, who is competing in the primaries against Rep Alan Grayson, accused Mr Rubio of abandoning Florida.

“Marco Rubio abandoned his constituents, and now he's treating them like a consolation prize,” Mr Murphy said. “Unlike Marco Rubio, I love working hard every single day for the people of Florida.”

The filing deadline for the US Senate race in Florida is Friday.