BOW, N.H. — Sens. Marco Rubio, Fla., and Rand Paul, Ky., have repeatedly sparred over domestic surveillance and foreign policy, but Rubio kept things cordial on Wednesday following the announcement of Paul’s departure from the 2016 race.
“Rand is someone I disagree with, but he believes in what he stands for and I respect him for that,” the Florida senator told reporters at a campaign stop in New Hampshire. “I thought he ran a good race and now he has to focus on his Senate election.”
While it is unlikely that Paul would support Rubio, whose hawkishness he’s compared to that of Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, the Florida senator nonetheless said he would seek his colleague’s endorsement.
“We would love to have everyone support us,” Rubio said. “We’ve had some policy disagreements, but by and large the one thing I respect about him is he is a true believer in what he stands for.
“I’d love to have his support,” he continued, noting, however, that he hasn’t yet spoken to Paul. “He’ll be focused on his Senate re-election in Kentucky and we’ll be rooting for him.”
Paul, who finished fifth in Iowa’s Republican caucus, announced the suspension of his presidential campaign early Wednesday morning.
“It’s been an incredible honor to run a principled campaign for the White House,” he said in a statement. “Today, I will end where I began, ready and willing to fight for the cause of Liberty.”
