South FL Congresswoman: Jeb Will Keep Rubio Out of 2016 Race

Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) predicted that Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) would not enter the 2016 presidential race because “it’ll be difficult for Marco to compete against a Jeb” in an interview with The Hill on Monday.

Ros-Lehtinen said she was “excited” about a potential Jeb run and said that he was “a moderate voice” that could win the state of Florida, but still “conservative.”

The discussion then turned to Marco Rubio, to which Ros-Lehtinen said “I love Marco too. I love Marco and I love Jeb and if they’re both in, I’m going to help them both any way I can.” She then added “I think that Marco at the end of the day will not be running, because if Jeb runs, he’s a powerful force, and has been elected statewide already, twice, has a national following, a natural donor base, which is shared by Marco. And it’ll be difficult for Marco to compete against a Jeb. I don’t blame Marco for saying he’s still in it, because he needs that sounding board, but I see a future for Marco more as a governor because, even though he’s not said even one hint about it, but he’s got a young family, he likes to be with his family, this is a pretty tough job for a guy with a lot of kids.” And that running the state would be “more his [Rubio’s] style.”

Follow Ian Hanchett on Twitter @IanHanchett

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