South Florida's Own Rubio To Run For Oval Office
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Ahead of Sen. Marco Rubio's big announcement planned for Monday at the Freedom Tower, Rubio told top donors he is running for the Republican nomination.
Republican Rubio, the AP reports, told donors on a conference call that he feels "uniquely qualified" to represent his party as "one that will defend the American Dream."
Rubio is set to announce he's running for president at the Freedom Tower Monday evening.
In a swipe at Clinton, Rubio said he the 2016 presidential campaign as a choice between the past and the future. Rubio said Clinton "is a leader from yesterday" while he has felt America is about tomorrow.
Watch Marybel Rodriguez's Report
As a kid, Marco Rubio played football and dreamed of the National Football League (NFL).
He is the son of Cuban immigrants who graduated from South Miami High. His dad worked as a bartender while his mom worked as a housekeeper.
Rubio attended the University of Florida and earned his bachelor's degree in 1993. He then went on to the University of Miami where he earned a law degree in 1996.
Soon after, he quickly dived into politics, his first stop was at West Miami City Hall where he was elected to the city commission in his mid-twenties.
Watch Marybel Rodriguez's Report
Rubio moved on to the State House and became speaker. Hugely popular with voters, he fought - unsuccessfully - for big tax cuts and lower homeowner's insurance.
After leaving the Legislature, he set his sights on a loftier target.
In 2009, just 38-years old, he became the junior U.S. senator from Florida but this local Republican had higher goals.
"We're seriously considering running for president and we'll have a decision to make, an announcement to make soon and I promise you'll all know about it,"said Rubio on February 9th.
He has behaved every bit the candidate on the stump.
He has championed conservative ways.
If he runs, he'll have Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, his one-time mentor, to contend with.
Rubio's face is just one among many announced for possible GOP candidates but don't expect him to get lost in the crowd.
"No question, he's someone who literally in politics is an overnight sensation, someone who just a few short years ago was a West Miami city commissioner," said Political Consultant Fernand Amandi.
Now, this husband and father of four may be just be making a run for the White House.
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
