Skip to content

Senate Majority PAC and Labor Target Rubio

New ad criticizes Florida Republican for his views on Social Security

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is being targeted for his views on Social Security by an ad campaign likely aimed at senior citizens. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is being targeted for his views on Social Security by an ad campaign likely aimed at senior citizens. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

A Democratic super PAC and one of the nation’s most prominent unions released an ad criticizing Sen. Marco Rubio’s views on Social Security.

The Florida Republican is running for re-election after an unsuccessful bid for the GOP presidential nomination. 

Senate Majority PAC and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees both cut an ad criticizing Rubio for saying programs like Social Security “weakened us as a people.”

The remark came from a 2011 speech at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, where Rubio spoke about social programs and said that before they were established, “it was institutions and society that assumed the role of taking care of one another” and that neighbors took care of neighbors.

[Rubio’s Career Depends on Winning Re-Election to Senate]

The ad suggests Rubio made these remarks because he has received almost $1 million from the insurance industry. That figure is close to the $939,053 that the Center for Responsive Politics said Rubio has received from the industry.

Florida retirees, who traditionally vote Republican, are the likely targets of the ad. A Pew Research Center analysis from last year found that more than 19 percent of Florida’s population is older than 65, the age for Social Security eligibility.

Rubio spokesman Michael Ahrens criticized the ad and said Rubio would not endanger Social Security.

“Marco’s own mother relies on Social Security as her sole source of income,” Ahrens said in a statement, also criticizing Murphy and AFSCME for opposing legislation by Rubio that would make it easier to fire officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“Florida veterans can’t afford someone who puts union bosses ahead of working for them,” he said.

Rubio faces Democratic Rep. Patrick Murphy in the November general election. The Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report/Roll Call rates the race as Tilts Republican.

Recent Stories

EPA plans action to address PFAS, including ‘polluter pays’

Capitol Lens | Eagles eyed

Trump’s first 100 days offer blueprint for future presidents to evade Congress

Rep. Connolly won’t seek reelection and will step down from Oversight panel perch

Life as a federal worker is a roller coaster ride, park ranger says

This week: Trump to huddle with speaker before reconciliation markups begin