Marco Rubio 2016 Senate Seat: Carlos Lopez-Cantera Announces Senate Bid
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., could see his senate seat succeeded by another Spanish-language speaker as politicians are officially announcing their senate candidacy.
Born in Madrid, Spain, Carlos Lopez-Cantera announced his bid for Rubio's senate seat on Wednesday, as the incumbent seeks the Republican nomination for U.S. president.
Lopez-Cantera currently serves as Florida's lieutenant governor and has been regarded as the first Hispanic in the role -- appointed by Republican Gov. Rick Scott. Lopez-Cantera previously served in Florida's House of Representatives representing the state's 113th District from 2004 to 2012. During his time in the Florida Legislature, he worked with Rubio when the latter was the House Speaker. While born in Spain, his parents are of Cuban and Jewish descent.
"I'm running because I want to work for you, to be a part of the solution, not part of the problem," Lopez-Cantera said in a video announcing his bid, noting he wants to work on government spending.
According to his campaign website, Lopez-Cantera will take his conservative principles to Washington, D.C., to reduce the size of the federal government and improve the country's economy.
Lopez-Cantera has another Republican challenger in the form of U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis of Florida's 6th Congressional District. DeSantis assumed his congressional role in January 2013 and has worked on veteran affairs, national defense and a critic to the Obama administration's renewed diplomatic relations with Cuba.
The DeSantis campaign reportedly raised more than $1 million during the first fundraising quarter and has $2 million in his bank.
"I'm confident that we will have the resources we need to draw a clear contrast between my vision of limited government, economic prosperity and a strong defense with whoever emerges as the Democratic nominee and as the defender of continuing failed big government policies," DeSantis said in a statement, via the Miami Herald.
According to the Miami Herald, Rubio will not seek reelection if he drops out of the Republican presidential primary.
Democratic Reps. Patrick Murphy and Alan Grayson are also running for the seat. Rep. David Jolly is also considering a run for Rubio's seat. According to his spokesperson Sarah Bascom, via Politico, "Congressman Jolly is seriously considering a U.S. Senate run, and is moving towards a decision and announcement early next week."
__
For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!