U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis plans to run for Marco Rubio’s Senate seat in 2016.
The Florida Republican congressman made the announcement via email on Wednesday. He becomes the first major Republican to vie for the seat being vacated by Rubio, who is running for president.
DeSantis, 36, currently represents Florida’s 6th District.
“America needs a new generation of leaders to address the big issues facing the country: alleviating the middle class squeeze and promoting economic opportunity, confronting the significant national security challenges threatening the safety of our people, and reforming the culture of Washington, DC,” DeSantis wrote. “As a candidate for Senate, I look forward to offering reforms based on limited government principles that will make our country stronger and more prosperous. I see a bright future for Florida and for America and my campaign will be about the ideas and principles that will help us achieve a more perfect union.”
DeSantis was first elected to the U.S. House in 2012. He has also been a federal prosecutor and is a lieutenant commander in the Navy reserves.
Rep. Patrick Murphy of Jupiter is the biggest Democratic name in the race thus far.
His campaign website, DeSantis2016.com also went live Wednesday.
(h/t News4Jax)
