GOP Frontrunner Marco Rubio Casts His Vote
MIAMI (CBS4) - Florida's three-way Senate race is the center of national and international attention as Republican Marco Rubio leads in all the polls.
When Rubio arrived at his West Miami polling place at the Open Bible Temple on Election Day with his wife Jeanette, he told reporters he felt really good. "I actually slept a few hours," laughed Rubio.
After the U.S. Senate hopeful cast his vote, he was surrounded by dozens of international journalists.
"In Florida, you have a very clear choice. If you want your next U.S. Senator to be someone who will stand up to the direction Washington is taking our country and offer a genuine and clear alternative, I'm the only one running for Senate that's going to do that," said Rubio.
Earlier this year, former Florida House Speaker Rubio's campaign came from behind to overtake then-Republican darling Charlie Crist. The move prompted the more centrist governor to leave the party and seek bipartisan support. Rubio was once considered a long shot but he built momentum through tea party rallies and by talking to conservative groups. His message was consistent: President Barack Obama's spending and health care policies are a disaster and the nation will spiral downward if spending isn't controlled.
The most recent Quinnipiac University poll shows Rubio with a 45-percent to 31-percent lead over Gov. Crist. Democrat Rep. Kendrick Meek received 18-percent.
Gov. Crist appeared to be splitting the Democratic vote with Meek heading into Tuesday's final day of voting.
Crist voted before dawn in St. Petersburg while Meek voted early on Monday, October 18th in Miami.
The winner will replace Republican Sen. George LeMieux, whom Crist appointed to replace Mel Martinez.
