Sen. Marco Rubio dropped out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination just moments after Florida’s primary vote was called for Donald Trump Tuesday night.
With 84 percent of the vote in, Rubio trailed Trump by 18 percent, and Trump was pulling in 45 percent to Rubio’s 27 percent.
Rubio made the announcement to supporters in Miami, congratulating Trump on his “big win” in his home state despite groans from the audience, and reminding the crowd that “we live in a republic.”
“After tonight it is clear that even though we are on the right side, this year we will not be on the winning side,” Rubio told attendees. He quickly slipped in that he would not continue the race.
“While it is not God’s plan that I be president in 2016, or maybe ever, and while, today, my campaign is suspended…” Rubio told supporters. “The fact that I’ve even come this far is evidence of special America truly is and all the reason more why we must do all we can to make to ensure that this nation remains a special place.”
Flanked by his family, Rubio called what was taking place in the GOP “a political storm” and a “tsunami,” and said that “we should’ve seen this coming.” He also took multiple shots at Trump and his preying on the anger of voters.
“While this may not have been the year for a hopeful and optimistic message about our future, I still remain hopeful and optimistic about America,” Rubio said. He noted how happy he was that his “mother, who’s now 85 years old, was able to cast a ballot for her son to be the president of the United States of America.”
