US President-elect Donald Trump according to NYT has chosen Republican Senator Marco Rubio as his pick for Secretary of State, positioning Rubio to become the first Latino to serve in America’s top diplomatic role.
Born in Miami, Florida, on May 28, 1971, Rubio has earned a reputation as a conservative leader, particularly on foreign policy issues. He is known for his hawkish stance on countries like China, Iran, and Cuba. Rubio’s selection is seen as an effort by Trump to diversify his administration’s leadership, potentially strengthening his appeal among Latino voters, a demographic that has traditionally leaned Democratic but shifted in Trump’s favour during the recent election.
While Rubio has been a vocal advocate for a strong US presence on the world stage, he has, in recent years, adjusted some of his positions to align with Trump’s approach of restraint.
Early Life, education, and political rise
Rubio’s parents emigrated from Cuba in 1956, settling first in Miami and later in Las Vegas, where his father worked as a bartender and his mother as a hotel housekeeper. Although raised Catholic, Rubio was briefly baptized as a Mormon before returning to his Catholic roots. The family returned to Florida in 1985, where Rubio graduated from the University of Florida in 1993 before earning a law degree from the University of Miami.
Rubio’s political career began early. He worked for Republican Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen before serving on the West Miami City Commission. In 1999, he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, where he served until 2008, including stints as majority leader and speaker.
Senate career
In 2009, Rubio launched his campaign for the US Senate seat left vacant by Mel Martinez’s resignation. Initially trailing Florida Governor Charlie Crist, Rubio’s fortunes changed when Crist broke from the Republican Party and declared himself an independent. Rubio won the 2010 election by a significant margin in a three-way race.
Once in the Senate, Rubio aligned himself with the conservative wing of the Republican Party. He opposed key Democratic initiatives such as gun control, the Affordable Care Act, and climate-change legislation. Despite this, he broke with many in his party when he co-authored a 2013 immigration reform bill that sought to provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. The bill ultimately failed to pass.
Rubio also became known for his foreign policy views, particularly his opposition to the Obama administration’s attempts to normalize relations with Cuba. His foreign policy stance has often reflected an interventionist approach, particularly regarding China and the Middle East.
2016 presidential campaign and shift to populism
Rubio’s 2016 presidential campaign was initially seen as a strong challenge to Donald Trump. He positioned himself as a candidate who could unite the Republican Party establishment but struggled against Trump’s dominance in the race. After a brutal series of defeats, Rubio suspended his campaign after losing the Florida primary.
Following his return to the Senate, Rubio began to embrace more populist conservative views, aligning more closely with Trump’s America First agenda. He became a vocal supporter of Trump and developed a strong working relationship with him. Although Rubio initially backed efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, he ultimately voted to certify Joe Biden’s victory after the January 6 Capitol attack.
Foreign policy
Rubio’s foreign policy views align with Trump on many fronts, though there are some key differences. Both have been critical of Nato, with Rubio co-sponsoring legislation that would make it more difficult for a president to withdraw from the alliance without Senate approval. Rubio is also a staunch critic of China, pushing for greater scrutiny of Chinese investments in US technology and advocating for a hardline approach on issues like Huawei’s influence.
One of Rubio’s most personal stances is his opposition to normalizing relations with Cuba, a policy he shares with Trump. He is also a vocal critic of the Maduro regime in Venezuela, reflecting his deep personal connection to the island through his Cuban-American heritage.
Rubio is married to Jeanette Dousdebes, whom he met as a teenager, and they have four children. He has authored two books: An American Son (2012), a memoir about his upbringing, and American Dreams: Restoring Economic Opportunity for Everyone (2015), which outlines his policy views.
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