Rubio won't help 'Big Donald' in Cleveland

First-term Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., admitted Wednesday that he would not attend this month's Republican National Convention in Cleveland so that he can spend more time with his state's voters.

That was yet another jagged pirouette for Rubio in a year filled with unexpected political dance moves.

Rubio, whom Donald Trump had needled mercilessly during the GOP presidential primary as "Little Marco," dropped out of the running in March after losing his own state's primary to the brash businessman. He initially declined to endorse Trump and said that whatever the future held for him next year, he would be a "private citizen."

Then in May, Rubio reversed course. He endorsed the man he had mocked as "Big Donald" as a better choice than Hillary Clinton and faced heavy criticism for saying he'd be willing to speak up for the nominee at the Republican Convention.

Trump responded to the endorsement by urging Rubio to get back into the running for his Florida senate seat. Shortly thereafter, Rubio made a re-election announcement. He is favored to win the primary and may face off against controversial Democratic firebrand Rep. Alan Grayson.