People
Early Life, Education, and Florida House of Representatives
Marco Antonio Rubio was born on May 28, 1971, in Miami, Florida, to parents who had left Cuba in 1956 during the Fulgencio Batista dictatorship. His family initially settled in Miami but later moved to Las Vegas, where his father worked as a bartender and his mother as a hotel housekeeper. In 1985, the Rubios returned to Florida. Rubio graduated from the University of Florida in 1993 and then studied law at the University of Miami, earning his law degree in 1996. During his time at law school, he worked for Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the first Hispanic woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. After completing his law degree, Rubio served a term as a member of the West Miami City Commission before being elected to the Florida House of Representatives in a special election in 1999. He served in the Florida House from 2000 to 2008, holding positions such as majority leader from 2003 to 2006 and speaker from 2006 to 2008.
U.S. Senate Career
In 2009, Rubio announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Mel Martinez. Initially running a distant second to Republican Governor Charlie Crist, Rubio gained the formal support of the Republican Party after Crist declared himself an independent. Rubio won the 2010 general election with a significant margin in a three-way race. Since taking office in 2011, Rubio has adopted a generally conservative stance and has been a leader in the Tea Party movement. He has opposed gun control, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), same-sex marriage, and climate-change curbs. However, he has also broken with his party on certain issues, such as helping draft immigration legislation in 2013 that offered a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who met specific conditions. Although the legislation failed, it marked a significant effort in addressing immigration reform. Rubio has been a strong advocate for an interventionist foreign policy and has been vocal against efforts to normalize relations with Cuba. He has also been instrumental in various legislative achievements, including the expansion of the child tax credit, the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, and the authorization of the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP).
2016 Presidential Campaign and Shift to Conservative Populism
In April 2015, Rubio announced his candidacy for the 2016 U.S. presidential election. His campaign platform focused on a balanced budget, the repeal of PPACA, tax reforms, and increased border security. Despite being the preferred candidate of the Republican establishment, Rubio struggled in the primary elections, winning only one state and trailing behind Donald Trump and Ted Cruz in delegate count. After losing the Florida primary in March 2016, Rubio suspended his presidential campaign. Following his presidential campaign, Rubio decided to seek a second term in the Senate. He won the 2016 Senate election and began to shift towards conservative populism, becoming a vocal supporter of President Trump. This shift was marked by his support for Trump’s policies and his close working relationship with the president. Despite initial criticisms of Trump during the primaries, Rubio endorsed Trump before the 2016 general election and remained largely supportive of his presidency.
Legislative Accomplishments and Constituent Service
Senator Rubio has been recognized as one of the most effective lawmakers in the U.S. Senate. In recent years, 13 of his bills have become law, including legislation to provide healthcare to veterans exposed to toxic burn pits and a bill to address harmful algal blooms in South Florida. He has authored numerous landmark laws, such as the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, and the creation of the Paycheck Protection Program. Rubio’s federal casework team has been award-winning, helping tens of thousands of Floridians navigate government agencies each year. This team assists a wide range of constituents, including veterans, immigrants, active service members, the unemployed, passport holders, small business owners, and the homeless.
Personal Life and Recent Developments
Rubio is married and has four children. He has been a strong advocate for family values and has often spoken about the importance of his faith and family in his life. In the 2024 presidential election, Rubio endorsed Donald Trump for president. Interestingly, President-elect Donald Trump selected Rubio to serve as Secretary of State in his upcoming administration, marking a significant new chapter in Rubio’s career.
Ongoing Influence and Public Service
Rubio continues to be a prominent figure in U.S. politics, particularly in foreign policy and conservative circles. His influence on U.S. policy, especially regarding Latin America during the first Trump administration, earned him the description as a 'virtual secretary of state for Latin America.' He became Florida’s senior senator in January 2019 and was reelected to a third term in 2022, defeating Democratic nominee Val Demings in a landslide victory. Through his legislative work and constituent service, Rubio has demonstrated a commitment to public service, reflecting his belief that helping constituents is at the heart of his role as a senator.