Sen. Marco Rubio on Monday graciously welcomed Jeb Bush, the governor he served under in the Florida legislature, to the 2016 sweepstakes.
Rubio was speaker of the Florida House of Representatives during a portion of Bush’s two terms as the Sunshine State’s chief executive. They both hail from Miami, and were closely associated for many years. Bush, 62, has been described as a political mentor to Rubio, 44, and someone who encouraged his underdog Senate bid in 2010 when many members of the GOP establishment in the state were urging him to defer to then-Republican Gov. Charlie Crist.
Now, the two are squaring off in the race for their party’s presidential nomination. Rubio announced his bid in Miami on April 13; Bush is declaring for the presidency Monday, also in the Magic City.
“In politics, people throw around the word ‘friend’ so much it often has little real meaning. This is not one of those times,” Rubio said in a statement issued by his campaign Monday morning. “When I call Jeb Bush my friend, I mean he is someone I like, care for and respect. He and I have worked closely together for many years, on issues big and small. He is a passionate advocate for what he believes, and I welcome him to the race.”
.@marcorubio thanks Marco. Glad I can do it in our hometown. See you out there!
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) June 15, 2015
Bush, who has been considering a presidential bid since December, did not release a similar statement or have much to say about Rubio when he launched his bid two months ago. But the former governor did respond amiably to the senator’s statement welcoming him to the race on Twitter.
This campaign is sure to test the bonds of friendship. Bush and Rubio are considered frontrunners for the nomination and could be headed for a showdown in the Florida GOP primary next March, if not before.
