TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera is taking steps that could help him run for the seat now held by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio.
Supporters of the Miami Republican announced Thursday they’re creating a super PAC that could assist Lopez-Cantera once he officially jumps into the 2016 race.
Lopez-Cantera says he’s talked to both Rubio and Gov. Rick Scott about possibly running for the job. Lopez-Cantera is a long-time friend of Rubio and is backing his presidential campaign.
“I have gotten a lot of encouragement around the state,” said Lopez-Cantera, who did not lay out a timetable when he would make a final decision about the race.
Lopez-Cantera said he knows Scott won’t endorse any Republican in the primary. U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis earlier this month announced he was running and there are signs that other Republicans may run as well.
The only other major announced candidate for Rubio’s seat is Democratic U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, who represents St. Lucie and Martin Counties and part of Palm Beach County.
The 41-year-old Lopez-Cantera was picked by Scott in early 2014 to fill the vacant spot of lieutenant governor. He is a former state legislator and Miami-Dade County property appraiser.
The group assisting Lopez-Cantera, which is called The Reform Washington SuperPAC, includes several well-known GOP donors and Republican activists.
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