Republican senators launch "Draft Marco" campaign for Rubio's 2028 presidential run

Republican senators and senior staffers on Capitol Hill launched a coordinated “Draft Marco” effort on Tuesday, urging former Florida governor Marco Rubio to run for president in 2028 after the party’s bruising loss in the 2022 midterm elections. The push was announced at a closed meeting in the Rayburn House Office Building, where more than a dozen GOP lawmakers signed a letter calling on Rubio to consider an early exploratory committee. Rubio, 53, has not ruled out a future bid, but he has not yet filed any paperwork.

The drive reflects a broader search for a fresh, electable face after Republicans lost the House and fell short in the Senate in 2022, a defeat that many in the party attribute to a mix of demographic shifts and internal divisions. Party leaders say they need a candidate who can appeal to both the establishment and the more populist wing, and Rubio’s record as a former governor, a two‑term senator, and a 2016 presidential contender fits that profile. His fluency in Spanish and experience with foreign‑policy issues are also seen as assets in a national contest that will likely feature former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, Florida governor Ron DeSantis and former UN ambassador Linda Thomas‑Greenfield.

Rubio’s camp has not confirmed any plans, but insiders say the “Draft Marco” group will raise a six‑figure seed fund and commission polling to gauge support among primary voters. If Rubio decides to run, he would likely announce his candidacy in early 2027, giving him a full year to build a national organization before the primaries begin. The effort also signals to other potential contenders that the party is coalescing around a moderate‑conservative figure, potentially shaping the field and fundraising dynamics for the next presidential cycle.