Rubio: Don’t expect a Romney endorsement soon

by TheHill.com - 07/07/15 2:37 PM ET

While Mitt Romney may have become the de facto standard bearer of the Republican Party following his 2012 White House nomination, an endorsement for any 2016 candidate is not on the horizon, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said Tuesday.

“No, I don’t think that’s fair to say,” Rubio said in interview Tuesday on Fox Business Network when pressed whether Romney could be expected to endorse him.

“I don’t suspect Governor Romney will endorse anyone in this race. He’s someone I admire. He’s someone that I like very much,” Rubio added.

{mosads}Host Neil Cavuto questioned Rubio about staying, along with his family, at Romney’s New Hampshire home over the weekend. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, another 2016 GOP candidate, also stayed there with his family.

When Romney ended a brief public flirtation with his own 2016 bid early this year, he suggested that “one of our next generation of Republican leaders” would become the nominee, which many interpreted to be an implicit nod toward Rubio, now 44, the youngest candidate in the crowded GOP field led by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, 62.

Romney and Bush reportedly met for lunch Monday with several members of their families in Maine, though Romney said last month he would likely not endorse a 2016 candidate until the Republican nominee is selected.

Rubio described conversations at the weekend sleepover as “pretty much non-political” Tuesday, saying of Romney’s clan, “I wouldn’t read too much into it. They’re meeting with other people, and they’ve been very gracious with others as well.”

Romney, after helping many Republicans secure midterm victories last year, has lately turned his attention to helping his party prepare for the lengthy 2016 presidential primary process and eventual general election.

During an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” last month, Romney mentioned Rubio, Bush, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Ohio Gov. John Kasich by name, saying about a half-dozen candidates could be president.

Walker and Kasich have not entered the race officially yet, but both are expected to do so soon.

Romney also hosted Rubio, Walker and Kasich at a retreat in Park City, Utah, in June.

Tags Marco Rubio Mitt Romney