Heartbroken supporters bid farewell to Rubio as he bows out of White House race

Supporters of Marco Rubio were heartbroken on Tuesday (March 15) after the Florida senator bowed out of the U.S. presidential race.

Calls of “no” and “keep going” filled the room when Rubio announced the he was suspending his bid for the presidency. However, his speech was briefly interrupted by one protester shouting, “you lost, you lost, Marco, you lost to be president!”.

Nearby supporters shouted him down and a brief scuffle ensued.

The 44-year-old first-term senator had been considered by many mainstream Republicans to be the last best option to defeat billionaire businessman Donald Trump and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas for the party’s nomination for the Nov. 8 election.

But it took weeks for Rubio to win a primary, notching wins in only Minnesota, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.

Allies and supporters had encouraged Rubio to get out of the race before the Florida voting after he consistently trailed in opinion polls, arguing that losing to Trump in the primary in his own state would hamper his future in politics

But Alan Denton said he still plans to vote for Rubio, despite his withdrawal.

“If I have to write his name in, then I will write his name in. He is the best one for the job. I care too much about this country to not vote for the best one for the job. And Marco Rubio is the best one for the job,” he said.

Other supporters at the rally were more stoic.

Michael Marston said Rubio’s decision was probably wise, considering his low poll numbers.

“Unfortunately he had a tough time in the race, and it is sad to see him drop out. He did what was probably the right thing given the poll results,” he said.

Supporter Rubin Martinez will be voting in his first presidential election in November and is hopeful that the Republican Party will choose someone other than Donald Trump as its nominee.

“This country stands on not letting insane candidates become the leader of a nation, so I know that the delegates will make a wise choice,” he said.

Rubio’s departure leaves three candidates in the race – Trump, Cruz and Ohio Governor John Kasich, who is now considered the most likely candidate to be supported by mainstream Republicans.

Kasich won his home state’s primary Tuesday. In his victory speech, he called on his supporters to applaud Rubio’s efforts during the campaign.