After the 2012 presidential elections, Rubio ranked at the top of polls as Republicans looked for a candidate in 2016. But Rubios numbers dropped at the national level and in key states like Iowa and New Hampshire following his prominent role in pushing immigration reform.
Rubio spoke at the Reuters Health Summit in Washington on Wednesday and said he would make a decision in early spring 2015 about what to do in 2016.
"The choice in 2016 will be whether I run for re-election and serve in the Senate for another six years, whether the time has come to perhaps go to the private sector or whether I want to run for another office like the presidency," Rubio said. I feel passionately about some of the things our country needs to be doing."
Rubio has the advantage of coming from the largest swing state in the nation but he could face another favorite son from the Sunshine State in 2016. Former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla., continues to leave the door open to running in 2016 and reports have emerged in recent weeks that he is being urged to run by key members of former Gov. Mitt Romneys, R-Mass., financial and fundraising team.
Appearing on Hugh Hewitts national radio show later on Wednesday, Rubio said he did not expect to focus on both running for the Republican presidential nomination and running for a second term in the Senate come 2016.
Responding to reports that Rubio said he would make a decision about running for the White House, staying in the Senate or leaving public office around this time next year, Hewitt asked, Isnt that a little bit late?
Around this time next year is what I said, Rubio replied. Thats around the time Ill have to make a decision about something.
Rubio insisted there was no timetable or date in place yet as he thinks about what to do in 2016.
Asked by Hewitt if he would run for two different federal offices, Rubio downplayed the possibility. You cant be on the ballot for two different offices, Rubio said, insisting Florida had the right law in place on it.
Rubio also said, if he runs for the Republican presidential nomination and loses, he does not expect to turn around and then run for the Senate. When you choose to do something as big as that, you really got to be focused on that and not have an exit strategy, Rubio said.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinstatenews.com.
