BREAKING: Marco Rubio Officially Enters 2016 Race

Daniel Doherty | April 13, 2015 11:10 AM

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) is making a “big announcement” this evening in Miami — and now we know what it is. Somewhat surprisingly, the junior senator from Florida revealed mere hours before his widely-anticipated and forthcoming speech that he’s running for the nation’s highest political office:

Sen. Marco Rubio is telling his top donors that he is running for president because he feels "uniquely qualified" to pitch his Republican Party as one that will defend the American Dream.

The first-term Republican from Florida told his biggest backers on a conference call on Monday that he sees the coming presidential campaign as a choice between the past and the future. In a swipe at Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton, Rubio said the former first lady "is a leader from yesterday."

Speaking of which, Hillary Clinton announced just yesterday that she is also taking the plunge. Sit tight for updates.

UPDATE: Rubio will speak to supporters this evening at 6:00 PM EST, a campaign event which he has sought to build buzz for all weekend long.

UPDATE: Rubio is the third GOP candidate to officially put his name forward in 2016.

UPDATE: Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) — who will not run for president in 2016 — had some rather positive things to say about Rubio in a recent interview. Skip ahead to the 3:26 mark after clicking through.