Marco Rubio Wins Republican Primary

BRADENTON, FL — U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s last-minute decision to seek reelection after his failed bid for the White House has been rewarded by Florida's Republican voters. The incumbent politician held a sound 70 percent of the vote in his competition against developer Carlos Beruff in Tuesday's primary election, according to unofficial election results from the Florida Division of Elections.

Beruff, 58, a home builder from Manatee County, spent millions of his own dollars on the race. The seat would have been his first elected office, but he’s been active in politics as a donor for years.

Rubio, 45, announced his intentions to seek re-election in June, just before the qualifying deadline.

Rubio issued a statement explaining his decision, citing a sense of duty and a desire to help the Republicans maintain control of the Senate. He also expressed concerns about both candidates in the presidential election.

"With Hillary Clinton, we would have four more years of the same failed economic policies that have left us with a stagnant economy," Rubio said.

Rubio pulled his name out of the running for the Senate seat he currently holds during his failed bid in the Republican presidential primary. He was defeated soundly in his home state by the now-presumptive nominee Donald Trump and suspended his presidential campaign after that March 15 primary defeat.

"After tonight it is clear that while we are on the right side this year that we will not be on the winning side," Rubio said in announcing his withdrawal from the presidential race.

Rubio will now face Democrat Rep. Patrick Murphy in the November general election for the U.S. Senate. Murphy was the anticipated winner with nearly 60 percent of the vote against Rep. Alan Grayson in early results reported by the division of elections.

Shortly after hearing Tuesday's unofficial results, Rubio tweeted a thank you to supporters.

Photo courtesy of Marco Rubio’s Facebook page