Career Timeline of Marco Rubio: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Marco Rubio made an impact.

Marco Rubio is an American politician, lawyer, and diplomat currently serving as the 72nd United States Secretary of State since 2025. As a member of the Republican Party, Rubio is also acting in various other roles including National Security Advisor, Archivist of the United States, and Administrator of USAID.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1996: Work on Bob Dole's Presidential Campaign

While studying law, Marco Rubio worked on Republican senator Bob Dole's 1996 presidential campaign.

April 1998: Election as City Commissioner

In April 1998, two years after finishing law school, Marco Rubio was elected to a seat as city commissioner for West Miami.

December 14, 1999: Second Place in Republican Primary

On December 14, 1999, Marco Rubio placed second in the Republican primary.

1999: Special Election for Florida House Seat

In late 1999, a special election was called to fill the seat for the 111th House District in the Florida House of Representatives, representing Miami. Marco Rubio campaigned as a moderate.

January 2000: Taking Seat in the Legislature

In January 2000, Marco Rubio took his seat in the legislature in Tallahassee.

January 25, 2000: Special Election Win

On January 25, 2000, Marco Rubio defeated Democrat Anastasia Garcia with 72% of the vote in a special election.

November 2000: Re-election to Florida House

In November 2000, Marco Rubio was reelected unopposed to the Florida House of Representatives.

2000: Election to Florida House of Representatives

In 2000, Marco Rubio was elected to represent the 111th district in the Florida House of Representatives.

2000: Appointment as Majority Whip

Later in 2000, the majority leader of the House, Mike Fasano, promoted Marco Rubio to be one of two majority whips.

September 2001: Resignation of House Majority Leader

In September 2001, Mike Fasano resigned as majority leader of the House due to disagreements with the House speaker. Rubio volunteered to work on redistricting.

2001: Legislative Earmarks

In 2001, Marco Rubio requested legislative earmarks totaling about $145 million for 2001 and 2002, but none thereafter.

December 2002: Appointment as House Majority Leader

In December 2002, Marco Rubio was appointed House majority leader by Speaker Johnnie Byrd.

2002: Legislative Earmarks

In 2002, Marco Rubio requested legislative earmarks totaling about $145 million for 2001 and 2002, but none thereafter.

2002: Re-election to Florida House

In 2002, Marco Rubio was reelected to a second term unopposed in the Florida House of Representatives.

2004: Re-election to Florida House

In 2004, Marco Rubio was reelected to a third term with 66% of the vote in the Florida House of Representatives.

September 13, 2005: Becoming Speaker

On September 13, 2005, at age 34, Marco Rubio became speaker after state representatives Dennis Baxley, Jeff Kottkamp, and Dennis A. Ross dropped out.

2005: Future Speaker Speech

In 2005, when chosen as future speaker, Marco Rubio delivered a speech to the Florida House, providing each member with a blank hardcover book titled "100 Innovative Ideas For Florida's Future".

November 2006: Election as Speaker of the Florida House

In November 2006, Marco Rubio was elected as the speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, serving for two years.

November 2006: Swearing in as Speaker

In November 2006, Marco Rubio was sworn in as the first Cuban American to be speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.

2006: Publication of '100 Innovative Ideas'

In 2006, Marco Rubio published the book "100 Innovative Ideas For Florida's Future" after traveling around the state and compiling citizens' ideas. About 24 of the 'ideas' became law, while another 10 were partially enacted.

2006: Re-election to Florida House

In 2006, Marco Rubio was reelected to a fourth term unopposed to the Florida House of Representatives.

November 2008: End of Speakership

Marco Rubio's term as speaker of the Florida House of Representatives ended in November 2008.

2008: Departure from Florida Legislature

In 2008, Marco Rubio left the Florida legislature due to term limits and began teaching at Florida International University.

2010: Report on Spending Requests

A 2010 report by the Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald said that some of Marco Rubio's spending requests dovetailed with his personal interests.

2010: Election to U.S. Senate

In 2010, Marco Rubio was elected to the U.S. Senate in a three-way race.

2014: Position with Broad and Cassel

In 2014, Marco Rubio took a position with Broad and Cassel, a Miami law and lobbying firm.

April 2015: Presidential Bid Launch

In April 2015, Marco Rubio launched a presidential bid instead of seeking reelection to the Senate.

February 2016: Rubio Criticized Trump During Republican Primary Campaign

During the Republican primary campaign in February 2016, Marco Rubio criticized Donald Trump, calling him a "con artist" and stating he was unprepared to be president.

March 15, 2016: Suspension of Presidential Campaign

On March 15, 2016, Marco Rubio suspended his presidential campaign after losing to Donald Trump in the Florida Republican primary.

March 2016: Rubio Opposes Obama's Supreme Court Nominee

In March 2016, Marco Rubio opposed President Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court, arguing that a nominee should not be considered in the last year of a president's term.

June 2016: Rubio Reaffirmed Concerns About Trump's Fitness for Presidency

In June 2016, after Donald Trump became the presumptive GOP nominee, Marco Rubio reaffirmed his February 2016 comments, expressing concern about handing "the nuclear codes of the United States to an erratic individual".

July 20, 2016: Rubio Endorsed Trump After Winning Republican Nomination

On July 20, 2016, after Donald Trump became the Republican Party's nominee, Marco Rubio endorsed him, despite his previous criticisms.

2016: Rubio Backed Trump and Confirmed Attendance at Republican National Convention

In 2016, Marco Rubio supported Donald Trump for president over Hillary Clinton, anticipating Trump would repeal the Affordable Care Act and appoint a conservative Supreme Court Justice. Rubio also confirmed he would attend the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, to release his pledged delegates to support Trump.

January 2017: Rubio stated that he would be a "private citizen" by January 2017

In January 2017, Marco Rubio stated that he would be a "private citizen", leading to speculation that his political career was over. This came after he suspended his presidential campaign in March 2016 and ruled out other political positions.

February 2018: Rubio Defends NRA Contributions

In February 2018, at a CNN town hall following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, Marco Rubio defended accepting contributions from the National Rifle Association (NRA), attributing their influence to the millions of supporters who share their agenda.

March 2018: Rubio Defends Citizenship Question on Census

In March 2018, Marco Rubio defended the Trump administration's decision to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census, despite concerns that it would lead to undercounting.

July 2018: Rubio Offers Amendment on Real Estate Disclosure

In July 2018, Marco Rubio proposed an amendment to a congressional spending bill aimed at compelling companies that purchase real estate with cash to disclose their owners, seeking to combat criminals using illicit funds through anonymous shell companies.

August 28, 2018: Rubio Urges Sanctions on Chinese Officials

On August 28, 2018, Marco Rubio and 16 other members of Congress requested the U.S. to impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act against Chinese officials for human rights abuses against the Uyghur Muslim minority in Xinjiang.

2018: Rubio Reversed Position on Climate Change

By 2018, Marco Rubio reversed his position on climate change, stating that humans contribute to an increase in greenhouse gases and that sea levels are rising at a measurable rate.

January 2019: Senior Senator from Florida

In January 2019, Marco Rubio became Florida's senior senator following the defeat of former senator Bill Nelson.

April 2020: Supreme Court Rejects Rubio's Attempt to Stop Obamacare

In April 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 8–1 against Marco Rubio's effort to halt the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

September 2020: Rubio Applauds Trump's Supreme Court Nomination

In September 2020, Marco Rubio supported President Trump's nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court following the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

2020: China Sanctions Rubio

In 2020, China imposed sanctions on Marco Rubio, including a travel ban, due to his support for Hong Kong's democracy movement.

2020: Rubio Joined the Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus

In 2020, Marco Rubio joined the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus.

February 2022: Rubio Condemns Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

In February 2022, Marco Rubio condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

2022: Rubio Condemns Holding Olympics in China

In 2022, Marco Rubio condemned the decision to hold the Winter Olympics in China, citing its "evil, genocidal regime" and pledging to prevent future Olympic Games from being hosted there.

2022: Re-election to Senate

In 2022, Marco Rubio was reelected to a third term, defeating Democratic nominee Val Demings.

March 2023: Rubio Supports Revoking China's Trade Status

In March 2023, Marco Rubio voiced his support for revoking China's permanent normal trade relations status.

October 2023: Rubio Condemns Hamas Attack on Israel

In October 2023, Marco Rubio condemned Hamas's attack on Israel, expressing support for Israel's right to self-defense and calling for the eradication of Hamas in Gaza.

November 2024: Trump Chose Rubio as Secretary of State

In November 2024, Donald Trump selected Marco Rubio as United States Secretary of State for his second administration, confirming this on November 13. The nomination was well-received by both Republicans and Democrats.

November 2024: Rubio says Ukraine war at a stalemate

In November 2024, Marco Rubio called Ukrainians "incredibly brave and strong", but said the war in Ukraine had reached a "stalemate" and "needs to be brought to a conclusion" to avoid further casualties.

November 2024: Nomination for Secretary of State

In November 2024, President-elect Trump announced his intention to nominate Marco Rubio to be secretary of state in his second administration.

2024: Endorsement of Trump

In 2024, Marco Rubio endorsed Trump for president days before the Iowa caucuses.

January 15, 2025: Rubio Testified Before Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

On January 15, 2025, Marco Rubio appeared before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. During the hearing, he described China as "the most potent and dangerous near-peer adversary this nation has ever faced."

January 20, 2025: Rubio Formally Nominated and Confirmed as Secretary of State

On January 20, 2025, Marco Rubio was formally nominated by President Trump as Secretary of State. His nomination was unanimously approved by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and confirmed by the Senate with a 99-0 vote.

January 21, 2025: Taking Office as Secretary of State

On January 21, 2025, Marco Rubio was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate and took office as Secretary of State.

February 2025: Rubio Announced Shutdown of Counter Foreign Information and Manipulation and Interference Office

In February 2025, Marco Rubio announced that the State Department's Counter Foreign Information and Manipulation and Interference Office would be shut down, citing wasted millions of dollars and censorship.

February 2025: Rubio Reached Agreement with El Salvador for Deported Foreign Nationals and Jailed U.S. Citizens

In February 2025, Marco Rubio reached an agreement with El Salvador president Nayib Bukele for the country to take in deported foreign nationals who committed crimes, as well as jailed U.S. citizens and permanent residents, praising a "mega-prison" in El Salvador.

February 2025: Rubio Supported U.S. Takeover of Gaza Strip

In February 2025, Marco Rubio supported President Trump's proposal for the U.S. to take over the Gaza Strip, expressing a desire to "Make Gaza Beautiful Again" and pursue lasting peace.

February 16, 2025: Rubio Claimed Trump Was the Only Leader Capable of Peace Negotiations in Ukraine

On February 16, 2025, Marco Rubio dismissed concerns about Ukraine and Europe being excluded from future peace negotiations in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, stating that Donald Trump was the only leader capable of initiating the process.

March 7, 2025: Rubio Clashed with Elon Musk During White House Cabinet Meeting

On March 7, 2025, The New York Times reported that Marco Rubio clashed with Elon Musk during a White House cabinet meeting. Musk criticized Rubio for not firing anyone in the State Department, while Rubio was angered by Musk's dismantling of USAID.

March 9, 2025: Rubio Condemned Massacres of Syrian Minorities

On March 9, 2025, Marco Rubio condemned the massacres of Syrian minorities committed by pro-government fighters during clashes in western Syria, expressing U.S. support for religious and ethnic minorities and calling for accountability for the perpetrators.

March 2025: Rubio Bypassed Congress to Send Arms to Israel

In March 2025, Marco Rubio bypassed Congress by issuing an emergency declaration to send a $4 billion shipment of arms to Israel.

May 1, 2025: Appointment as Acting National Security Advisor

On May 1, 2025, Trump announced that Rubio would become acting National Security Advisor, while continuing to serve as Secretary of State.

May 2025: Rubio Announced Stricter Visa Policies for Chinese Students

In May 2025, Marco Rubio announced that the U.S. government would "aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students" with CCP connections or studying in critical fields, and would increase scrutiny of future visa applications from China and Hong Kong.

June 2025: Rubio Announced Sanctions on International Criminal Court Judges

In June 2025, Marco Rubio announced sanctions on four International Criminal Court judges for allegedly targeting the United States and Israel.

2025: Service as Secretary of State

In 2025, Marco Rubio began serving as the 72nd United States Secretary of State, also serving in other positions such as national security advisor, archivist of the United States, and administrator of USAID.