Senator Marco Rubio, the Republican of Florida, is quietly positioning himself as a leading contender for the next Republican vice-presidential nominee, despite not flaunting his support for Donald J. Trump like other potential running mates. Mr. Rubio, who has a history of being mocked by Mr. Trump during the 2016 Republican nomination race, has taken a low-key approach to avoid overshadowing the former president.
The son of Cuban immigrants, Mr. Rubio could help Mr. Trump appeal to Hispanic voters and reassure Republican donors and moderate voters. Trump aides and donors view Mr. Rubio as a candidate who would pose little risk of creating unwanted distractions for the former president. However, it is unclear whether Mr. Rubio’s quiet campaign strategy will work, as Mr. Trump has privately wondered how much the senator wants the job.
Despite potential hurdles such as residency requirements and past insults from Mr. Trump, Mr. Rubio remains a strong contender for the vice-presidential nomination. His experience in advising Mr. Trump on foreign policy and working with the administration on key issues could help reassure traditional Republican voters.
As Mr. Rubio continues to align himself with Mr. Trump and navigate the complexities of their past rivalry, his ambition and political upside have not faded. Some critics, including former Representative David Jolly, believe that Mr. Rubio could be the perfect choice to secure a victory for Mr. Trump in the upcoming election. With his quiet but steady approach, Mr. Rubio is positioning himself as a potential star in the Republican party.