FL-Senate: Rubio's Running (Still)

[ccharles000]

Former Florida state House Speaker Marco Rubio (R) will not exit the state's open seat Senate race despite facing long odds and a cash deficit against Gov. Charlie Crist (R), according to sources familiar with his decision.

"He's committed to the Senate race," said one Rubio adviser who was granted anonymity to speak candidly. "In case there was any doubt, last week he made it clear in public and private meetings."

Rubio will be in Washington tomorrow for a series of meetings and will hold a press availability at 5:45 p.m. where he is expected to re-assert his commitment to the race.

Over the last week (or so), Rubio made calls to Florida political types to explore the possibility of leaving the Senate race -- and entering the open contest for state attorney general -- following the release of campaign finance reports that showed Crist raking in $4.3 million to Rubio's $340,000 between April 1 and June 30.

Rubio's decision to stay in the race -- allies insist he is committed to seeing the primary out no matter what -- complicates, slightly, Crist's glide path to the Senate.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/senate/fl-senate-rubios-running.html?wprss=thefix

[csziggy]

1. Good - the longer he sticks in there, the more Crist has to spend in the primaries

And the less Crist will have for the regular election.