Jeff Atwater, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, announced Saturday that he would not run for Sen. Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) Senate seat in 2016.
Atwater was expected to be the Republican frontrunner for the seat, according to The Palm Beach Post.
Republicans expected Atwater to formally jump into the race after Rubio’s announcement on Monday. Rubio is reportedly planning to announce his candidacy for president.
Supporters for Atwater, according to the Post, had already set up a super PAC for him in preparation of his candidacy.
On the Democratic side, Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-FL) has already announced his candidacy for Rubio’s seat. Some liberals in the state have criticized Murphy and said Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) should jump into the Senate race.
