In November 2024, he was nominated by President-electDonald Trump to serve as theUnited States Secretary of State. He took office on January 20, 2025 after being confirmed by theUnited States Senate unanimously. He is the first Latino to serve in the position, making him the highest-rankingHispanic American official in U.S. history.[1]
Rubio's family moved fromCuba to the US in the 1950s. He was born in 1971 inMiami,Florida. He has one brother and two sisters. Rubio's family moved toLas Vegas,Nevada during the 1980s but they later came back to Miami. After high school he stayed in Florida and went to theUniversity of Florida, where he graduated in 1993 with a political science degree. After that he went to law school at theUniversity of Miami, where he got a doctorate in law.
In late 1999, Rubio ran in a special election that happened for the 111th House District in theFlorida House of Representatives, representing Miami.[2] Rubio came in second in the Republican primary on December 14, 1999,[3] but won the runoff election for the Republican nomination.[4] He then beat Democrat Anastasia Garcia with 72% of the vote in a January 25, 2000, special election.[5]
In November 2000, Rubio was reelected unopposed.[6] In 2002, he was reelected to a second term unopposed.[7] In 2004, he was reelected to a third term with 66% of the vote.[8] In 2006, he was reelected to a fourth term unopposed.[9]
Rubio spent almost nine years in the Florida House of Representatives. Later in 2000, themajority leader of the House,Mike Fasano, promoted Rubio to be one of two majoritywhips. In December 2002, Rubio was appointed House majority leader by SpeakerJohnnie Byrd.[10][11]
In 2010 he ran forUS Senate. He ran a long shot campaign at first: most people thought that Florida's Governor,Charlie Crist would get the Republican nomination. Rubio won the primary, but Crist entered the race as an independent. In a three way race between himself, Crist, and DemocratKendrick Meek, Rubio was elected to the Senate in 2010.
Rubio has become well known since entering the Senate. He has been critical of PresidentBarack Obama and has proposed his own ideas in place of Obama's plans on more than one issue. He wrote a plan for the economy supportingfree market economics and has proposed tax cuts for small businesses. Rubio also introduced a reform of the US immigration system and recently supported changes to how colleges deal withsexual assault.
Rubio announced in May 2015, that he will not seek re-election because of his presidential campaign.[14] After suspending his presidential campaign, Rubio announced he would seek a second term in June 2016. Rubio defeated Democratic challenger Patrick Murphy in the 2016 election.
Rubio called the2021 United States Capitol attack as unpatriotic and "3rd world-style anti-Americananarchy".[16] After Congress was allowed to return to session, Rubio voted to certify theelectoral college results.[17] In February 2021, Rubio voted toacquit Trump for his role in causing the mob to storm the Capitol.[18] On May 28, 2021, Rubio voted against creating theJanuary 6 commission.[19]
On April 13, 2015, Rubio announcedhis candidacy for president in2016 and that he would not seek re-election to his Senate seat.[20][21] His campaign started at the Freedom Tower in Miami, a building that many Cuban immigrants passed through.
TheSenate Committee on Foreign Relations unanimously approved his nomination and the Senate confirmed him a few hours later by a vote of 99 to 0.[24][25] On January 21, Vice PresidentJD Vance swore Rubio into office as the 72nd secretary of state.[26] Rubio is the first Latino to hold the office.[27] He is also the highest-rankingHispanic American official in U.S. history.[28]
Rubio married Jeanette Dousdebes in 1998. Together, they have four children. The Rubios live in Miami, Florida. Marco has two sisters, Veronica and Barbara, and an older brother, Mario. Rubio has said in his books that he is a fan of rap music. When he was a young man he played football, and once hoped to play the game in the NFL. Rubio has also written two books. He is aRoman Catholic.[33]
↑"Legislator says he got calls demanding he end sit-in Series: AROUND THE STATE: [SOUTH PINELLAS Edition]".St. Petersburg Times. January 26, 2000.ProQuest263423613.
