Sen. Marco Rubio is powering up his reelection campaign early, bracing for Democrats to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in Florida to defeat him.

Seventeen months before Election Day, the Republican has a campaign manager, political director, director of Hispanic outreach, communications director, and a team of consultants. Mike Needham, chief of staff in Rubio’s Senate office, is expected to play a major role in the campaign in an advisory capacity. Recruitment of grassroots volunteers, in conjunction with the Florida Republican Party and county GOP officials, is underway. Rep. Val Demings, Rubio’s likely Democratic challenger, announced her campaign Wednesday.