Marco Rubio Suspends His Presidential Campaign After Coming in Second in Florida

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Mar 15, 2016   |   8:34PM   |   Washington, DC

Marco Rubio, the pro-life Senator from Florida, suspended his campaign for president after coming in second in his home state. With 84% of the vote counted in Florida, Rubio received 27 percent of the vote compared with 45% for Trump.

“This is the right way forward for our party, for our country,” Rubio told supporters in Miami. “But after tonight, it’s clear that while we are on the right side this year, we will not be on the winning side.”

“While this may not have been the year for a hopeful or optimistic message about our future, I still remain hopeful and optimistic about America,” he added. “Do not give in to fear. Do not give in to frustration.”

SIGN THE NEW PLEDGE: I Pledge to Vote for a Pro-Life Candidate for President

“While it is not God’s plan that I be president this year or maybe ever, and today my campaign is suspended,” he said.

Rubio ran as a strongly pro-life candidates — even saying tat babies in cases of rape or incest had a right to life.

“Well, a couple things. Number one, abortion to me is not a political issue. It’s a human rights issue,” he said. “The broader point I’ve made, however, is I believe all human life is worthy of the protection of our laws. That’s what I deeply and personally believe. And I’m not going to change my position on something of — that is so deep in me in order to win an election.”

“But I believe a human being, an unborn child, has a right to live irrespective of the circumstances by which they were conceived. But I personally believe that all human life is worthy of the protection of our laws,” he added.

Rubio has campaigned on his long pro-life record and, in exclusive comments to LifeNews.com, he said he would sign a bill to de-fund the Planned Parenthood abortion business “immediately” if elected president.

Rubio, who announced a new coalition of pro-life leaders who have formed an advisory board to help him connect with pro-life voters and implement pro-life policies if elected president, said he would sign the bill President Barack Obama recently vetoed that would have de-funded Planned Parenthood.

“Yes, I would [sign the bill],” Rubio told LifeNews.

“We must defund Planned Parenthood, and I have voted multiple times to do so. I have voted against budget deals that include funding for an organization that continuously demonstrates callous disregard for defenseless unborn children,” Rubio continued.

marcorubio30