Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is "closely looking" at launching his presidential campaign April 13 at a site in downtown Miami, although an adviser said that "plans are not final."
Media outlets reported Saturday that Rubio was considering the Freedom Tower in downtown Miami for the announcement, which could make him the second or third Republican presidential candidate to announce. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz already has, and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul is expected to in early April.
A Rubio adviser on Saturday said plans for any announcement are not final, but that they hope to have them figured out early next week. April 13 is "one of days we're closely looking at. Also, Freedom Tower is a great venue. But again, nothing is confirmed or final," the adviser said.
If or when Rubio does announce, the first-term senator from West Miami would be considered a strong contender to challenge one-time mentor and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and current Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who lead in current polls. While Rubio’s poll numbers among potential or likely Republican voters are in the single digits – as they are for most contenders in the crowded GOP field – Rubio has won wide praise from political observers.
A couple heavyweight conservative handicappers have put him the top tier of Republicans, and said he is somebody with the ability to unite establishment and more conservative elements of the party.
While he was once a darling of the party’s most conservative voters, his celebrated role in a 2013 immigration debate turned off many of his conservative fans. In that episode, Rubio pushed a bipartisan overhaul of the nation's immigration system that made it through the Senate but stalled in the House of Representatives. Many conservatives lambasted him for it, although Rubio has since backed away from his stance.
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