[crscore]Marco Rubio[/crscore]’s name is frequently floated as a potential running mate for Donald Trump, but the Florida senator said Monday he doesn’t want to be considered for the job.
“While Republican voters have chosen Donald Trump as the presumptive GOP nominee, my previously stated reservations about his campaign and concerns with many of his policies remain unchanged,” Rubio said in a statement, reported by CNN.
Added Rubio: “He will be best served by a running mate and by surrogates who fully embrace his campaign. As such, I have never sought, will not seek and do not want to be considered for Vice President. Instead, I will focus my attention on representing the people of Florida, retaining a conservative majority in the Senate and electing principled conservatives across the country.”
In a statement to CNN, @marcorubio says he’s not interested in being @realDonaldTrump‘s running mate pic.twitter.com/VCVd2azXRC
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) May 9, 2016
The argument for Rubio is that he’s a young, charismatic Hispanic Republican from a swing state. But he and Trump attacked each other personally during the campaign, with the New York businessman famously dismissively calling him “Little Marco.” Rubio, who is retiring from the Senate this year, may also think it makes sense for his political future not to be tied to Trump.
Appearing on Fox News last week, Trump suggested to host Bret Baier he was open to picking Rubio. “Marco’s a good guy, a really nice guy, and I like him. But not necessarily with respect to any position, but it could happen.”