Florida Rep. David Jolly foreshadowed news in his campaign for Senate on Friday — both for himself and for Sen. Marco Rubio, whom he’s running to replace.
Jolly has been in a battle to win the Republican nomination for the seat with fellow Florida Rep. Ron DeSantis and Lt. Gov. Carlos López-Cantera as well as other candidates, but in recent days Rubio has signaled he might accede to pressure to run for reelection to his seat.
Expectations are growing on Capitol Hill that Rubio, who announced last year that he wouldn’t seek reelection, may be getting into the race, according to GOP senators who have spoken with the Florida freshman.
In an appearance on CNN’s “New Day,” Jolly signaled that later Friday he would be making news as to whether he will continue his bid.
“I have been running for 10 months, we’ve been polling out front,” Jolly said when asked about rumors Rubio might enter the race.
“Marco is saying he is getting in,” he added, apparently referencing rumors to that effect and not indicating Rubio had told him as much.
Jolly spokesman Preston Rudie emailed later Friday, “Clarifying Jolly has no actual knowledge of a Rubio decision.”
Jolly told CNN’s David Gregory he would not be making news — yet.
“I would love to announce this on national news this morning. But I owe it to my community to wait until noon today. I will let my community be the first to know my intentions,” Jolly said.
Rubio has until June 24 to file for the race. He has said he will go home to Florida and consider the option with his family.
Until recent weeks, when Republicans grew concerned that only Rubio could retain the seat for the GOP, Rubio has repeatedly insisted he will be at least temporarily leaving politics at the end of the year.
The primary will be August 30.