Marco Rubio presidential campaign, 2016
The 2016 presidential campaign of Marco Rubio, United States Senator from Florida and former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, began on April 13, 2015, when Rubio announced his candidacy at the Freedom Tower in Downtown Miami for the Republican nomination in the 2016 United States presidential election cycle.[1][2] Rubio was considered a potential candidate for Vice President by Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election, before Congressman Paul Ryan was selected to fill that role. Rubio has been considered a likely presidential candidate since at least 2011 and has been considered in many major polls leading up to the primaries. Groups began fundraising for a potential Rubio presidential campaign in early 2014. On April 10, 2015, Rubio released a video on his YouTube channel ahead of his Presidential announcement. Background2012 Presidential electionFurther information: Republican Party vice presidential candidate selection, 2012
 Senator Marco Rubio speaking at the 2014 Conservative Political Action Conference. As early as January 2011, there had been speculation that Marco Rubio might seek the office of the President or Vice-President. In January 2011, Rubio stated he had no interest in being the Vice-Presidential candidate in the 2012 Presidential election.[3] Despite his comments, speculation continued that Presidential candidate Mitt Romney might select Rubio as his running mate.[4] According to the book Double Down, Romney's campaign narrowed down his list of potential nominees for Vice President to five candidates, one of which was Rubio.[5] However, Romney ultimately ended up picking Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan.[6] 2016 Presidential electionThroughout 2014, groups had been raising money to support a potential Marco Rubio Presidential campaign. Groups supporting Rubio raised over $530,000 in the first three months of 2014, most of which was spent on consultants and data analytics, in what was seen as preparations for a presidential campaign.[7] Early polling data showed Rubio as a frontrunner for the nomination shortly after the 2012 election. From late 2012 to mid-2013, Rubio came in first in eight consecutive national polls among potential 2016 candidates, from such sources as Public Policy Polling, Harper Polling, Quinnipiac University, and Farleigh Dickinson University.[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] In statewide polls, he has performed most prominently in his home state of Florida, alongside Jeb Bush,[16][17][18][19][20] and has also performed fairly well in Suffolk University polls in such states as Colorado, Michigan, and Minnesota.[21][22][23] A poll from the WMUR/University, tracking New Hampshire Republican primary voters' sentiment, showed Rubio at the top alongside Kentucky senator Rand Paul in March 2013. However, he had dropped to 10th place behind other Republican contenders by April 2014. The poll, however, also suggests that Rubio is not disliked by the primary voters, which could be positive for him if other candidates choose not to run.[24][25] By the time of Rubio's announcement, he had regained some standing in the polls. A March 2015 NBC/Wall Street Journal poll asked Republican Party voters if they could see themselves supporting the various candidates. Rubio won the poll with 56 percent of Republican voters saying they could see themselves supporting Rubio, while only 26 percent said they could not. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee trailed just behind Rubio with 53 and 52 percent, respectfully.[26][27] A CNN/ORC poll conducted from March 13 to March 15, 2015 found that Rubio was tied with Chris Christie for the Republican nomination.[28] In January 2015, Rubio began laying the foundation for a presidential campaign. He began contacting top donors and appointed advisors, including George Seay, who previously worked on Rick Perry's 2012 presidential campaign and Mitt Romney's 2008 presidential campaign, and Jim Rubright, who had previously worked for Jeb Bush, Romney, and John McCain.[29][30] Rubio also instructed his aides to "prepare for a presidential campaign" prior to a Team Marco 2016 fundraising meeting in South Beach.[31] Campaign AnnouncementOn March 30, 2015 Rubio announced on Fox News and through social media that he would be making a "Big Announcement" on April 13 in Miami, Florida. While he did not specify whether the announcement pertained to his reelection as a United Senator or for the Presidency, most media consensus was that Rubio would be announcing his presidential run. He made the announcement at the Freedom Tower in Downtown Miami.[1][2] In his announcement speech, Rubio cast himself as forward-looking and a leader for a new generation of Americans, in contrast to Democrat Hillary Clinton, who announced her presidential campaign the day before; in addition, he announced he would not seek re-election as Senator.[1][32] With the announcement, Rubio became the the fourth major candidate to officially announce a run after Republicans (and fellow Senators) Ted Cruz of Texas and Rand Paul of Kentucky and Democrat Hillary Clinton.[33][34] FundraisingA Super PAC in support of Rubio, Conservative Solutions PAC, was launched in the beginning of April 2015. It is led by Warren Tompkins.[35] Miami businessman Norman Braman was named by political commentators as a probable large donor.[36][37] Rubio raised about $1.25 million online the day after his announcement.[38] Endorsements
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