Rubio welcomes ‘friend’ Bush to 2016 race

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) welcomed his “friend” former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to the GOP presidential race Monday, as the two longtime allies prepare to face off for the nomination.

“In politics, people throw around the word ‘friend’ so much it often has little real meaning. This is not one of those times. When I call Jeb Bush my friend, I mean he is someone I like, care for and respect,” Rubio said in a statement Monday. 

{mosads}Bush is expected to announce his bid for the Republican presidential nomination in Miami on Monday. 

The two Florida Republicans have known each other for more than a decade, with Rubio serving in the state legislature while Bush was governor. Republicans previously speculated that the two wouldn’t run against each other. 

Rubio announced his presidential bid in April, positioning himself as a rival to his former mentor. He acknowledged that he and Bush “have worked closely together for many years, on issues big and small.”

“He is a passionate advocate for what he believes, and I welcome him to the race,” he added. 

Bush quickly responded to Rubio on Twitter, saying “thanks Marco. Glad I can do it in our hometown. See you out there!”

Rubio and Bush were at the top of the Republican presidential field in a CNN/ORC poll released earlier this month. 

–This report was updated at 11:39 a.m.