Absentee Senator’s Visit to St. Lucie River Met with Protests 

Today, Marco Rubio was met by angry constituents when he decided to conduct a campaign photo-op at the devastated St. Lucie River in Stuart. Now that Rubio is running for reelection, he’s suddenly paying attention to the crises Florida is facing with a big show of newfound interest for the cameras. 

The people of Florida are not buying it.

For the past six years, Rubio has prioritized pursuing his ambition over doing what’s right for Floridians, and they are now turning out in crowds demanding to know where he was when these crises could have been prevented. Rubio is out of touch with the people of Florida, and he is in for a rude awakening if he thinks they won’t hold him accountable for his misplaced priorities.

Watch: Protesters greet Rubio during his campaign photo-op 

Protesters not happy with @marcorubio arriving back 2 Marina after a first hand look at the algae bloom in Stuart. pic.twitter.com/QbyPdfX31H

— Shyann Malone (@ShyannMalone) July 1, 2016

Tired of politicians using messes they’ve not fixed as photoops @evergfoundation @RiversCoalition #indianriverlagoon pic.twitter.com/ToAMOxSZvg

— LaurenceReisman (@LaurenceReisman) July 1, 2016

.@marcorubio addresses local officials. Protesters wait outside. #IndianRiverLagoon pic.twitter.com/tuNc4ECViP

— Isadora Rangel (@IsadoraRangel2) July 1, 2016

Since announcing his candidacy last week, Marco Rubio and his backers have held Washington fundraisers, purchased D.C. television ads, and huddled with major Florida donors. Given the reception he received today, it’s little wonder Little Marco is desperately trying to avoiding meeting his constituents. 

Here’s a look at how Rubio’s reentry into the Senate race is playing across the Sunshine State:  

Sun Sentinel Editorial: Marco Rubio aims to be ‘The Rubio Savior’

Orlando Sentinel Editorial: Rubio faces credibility gap in re-election bid 

Tampa Bay Times Editorial: Rubio running on a thin record

Miami Herald Editorial: Sen. Marco Rubio plays fast and loose with his pledge not to run

Naples Daily News Editorial: Promises, unpromises from Rubio leave splintered U.S. Senate contest 

Tampa Bay Times: Ruth: Rubio the flip-flopper (column) 

Orlando Weekly: Marco Rubio decides he wants to keep being our U.S. senator after all:

West Orlando News: What A Joke: Rubio Running For Re-Election After All 

Florida Politics: Joe Henderson: It’s not that Marco Rubio reneged; it’s that he did a lousy job in Senate

Miami Herald: Rubio says yes to another Senate run after all