Marco Rubio formally signed the paperwork today to run in the Florida Republican primary for Senate — a seemingly routine act that has taken on a whole other level of political significance, in light of the potential independent bid by Rubio’s current opponent in the primary, Gov. Charlie Crist.
The Palm Beach Post reports that Rubio held an event at a park in his home town of West Miami, flanked by busts of Abraham Lincoln and Cuban independence icon Jose Marti, and accompanied by his family and over 100 supporters. He signed the official document to register as a candidate in the Republican primary, and then held it up for all to see.
Rubio said that if Crist runs as an independent, it won’t change his own campaign. “Why I’m running is not going to change,” Rubio said. “I’m the only candidate in this race that will stand up to this (Democratic) agenda and offer clear alternatives.”
Rubio spokesman Alex Burgos also sent TPMDC a comment, contrasting Rubio’s act of filing as a Republican candidate with Crist’s public indecision over whether he will remain in the GOP.
“Today’s signing event highlighted how proud Marco is to officially qualify and run as a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate. Surrounded by his family, friends and supporters, Marco took another definitive step towards going to Washington to stand up to the Obama agenda and offer an alternative,” said Burgos. “It’s a sharp contrast with Charlie Crist’s ongoing drama over his next political move. Whatever Governor Crist decides, Marco will continue running on the same limited government, free market principles that he entered this race to defend and promote. Soon, we’ll know whether the competition in November will be one or two proponents of the Obama agenda.”
Crist said earlier today that he will announce his decision on Thursday, one day before the filing deadline. The TPM Poll Average for the Republican primary gives Marco Rubio a lead of 59.1%-27.9% over Crist, the opposite of where things were a year ago. Meanwhile, the poll average for a three-way general election only gives Rubio a narrow lead with 33.8% of the vote, followed by an independent Crist at 27.8%, and Democratic Rep. Kendrick Meek with 22.5%.
