After devoting much of the 2016 election cycle running for president, Senator Marco Rubio, R-Fla., took a big step on Tuesday toward retaining his seat after being projected to easily win the state's Republican primary.
Rubio beat millionaire developer Carlos Beruff, the only major GOP candidate to stay in the race after Rubio decided to run for re-election two days before the deadline to make the ballot. He had said for months he wouldn't run again no matter what happened in the presidential race.
Rubio will now face the winner of the Democratic primary, U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy.
Republican leaders encouraged Rubio to change his mind, seeing him as the best home to keep his seat in GOP hands as Democrats sought to regain a majority in the Senate.
#BREAKING- @marcorubio wins Florida GOP nomination to seek second Senate term.
— ABC Action News (@abcactionnews) August 31, 2016
