Florida Senate candidate Marco Rubio (R) responded to a report that he is considering terminating his Senate primary campaign against Gov. Charlie Crist (R-Fla.)
National Journal’s CongressDaily reported that:
Two Republican sources said today that even as former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio campaigns for retiring GOP Sen. Mel Martinez‘s Senate seat, he has been calling around to top Republican donors and activists in the state to discuss the idea of switching from the Senate primary against GOP Gov. Charlie Crist and into the open-seat race for attorney general, where a serious Republican candidate has yet to emerge. Rubio’s campaign did not return several inquiries about the development by presstime.
Rubio used Twitter to respond:
RT @ErinMcPike: Sources Rubio reconsidering Senate race:http://bit.ly/2V7G8i Maybe they misunderstood what I meant by “going back to tally”
National Journal’s Hotline followed up, tweeting Wednesday:
FL SEN: Correction, Rubio’s tweet rspnse to story he’s jumping to AG race: “Maybe they misunderstood what I meant by “going back to tally”
FL SEN: Before he tweeted, Rubio’s camp responded to our request for comment on McPike’s story…
FL SEN: Here’s what they told us: “Speaker Rubio is an active candidate for U.S. Senate” and…
FL SEN: “He looks forward to continuing his Senate campaign in Miami tomorrow and in Jacksonville on Friday.”
Hotline also reported that neither Rubio or his campaign gave any indication whether or not he was considering the Attorney General position.
Rubio had gained a significant following amongst the conservative base, but is facing difficulties running against Crist, who is more established and has wider name recognition.
Polls showed Crist holding commanding leads over the former Florida House Speaker in early polls. Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) who is vacating the seat in 2010, endorsed Crist as did the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
Crist also raised $3 million in the second quarter against Rubio’s $340,000. Rubio, however, raised over $140,000 from individual contributions online.
UPDATED [4:35pm]: Rubio’s camp addressed his interest in Attorney General position and skirted the question. Rubio also clarified his remarks, tweeting:
“going back to Tally” is a spoof of a song, not a political plan! #sayfie #tcot #fltcot