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, attorney, and diplomat who served as the 72nd United States Secretary of State since 2025. As a member of the Republican Party, he represented Florida in the United States Senate from 2011 to 2025. He was a candidate in the 2016 Republican presidential primary elections. During his time as Secretary of State, he has also held acting positions such as 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: Worked on Dole's Campaign

In 1996, Marco Rubio worked on Republican senator Bob Dole's presidential campaign.

April 1998: Elected City Commissioner

In April 1998, Marco Rubio was elected as city commissioner for West Miami.

December 14, 1999: Republican Primary

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

1999: Special Election Called

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.

January 2000: Took Seat in Legislature

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

January 25, 2000: Won Special Election

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

November 2000: Re-election

In November 2000, Rubio was reelected unopposed.

2000: Elected to Florida House of Representatives

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

2000: Elected to Florida House

In early 2000, Marco Rubio was elected to the Florida House of Representatives.

2000: Promoted to Majority Whip

Later in 2000, Marco Rubio was promoted to be one of two majority whips.

December 2002: Appointed House Majority Leader

In December 2002, Marco Rubio was appointed House majority leader.

2002: Re-election

In 2002, Rubio was reelected to a second term unopposed.

2003: Rubio supports the invasion of Iraq

In 2003, Marco Rubio supported the invasion of Iraq.

2004: Re-election

In 2004, Rubio was reelected to a third term with 66% of the vote.

September 13, 2005: Became Speaker

On September 13, 2005, at age 34, Marco Rubio became speaker.

2005: Future Speaker Speech

In 2005, upon being chosen as future speaker, Marco Rubio gave a speech to the Florida House and presented members with a blank hardcover book titled "100 Innovative Ideas For Florida's Future", telling them they would fill it together.

2005: Rubio Chaired a Committee on Private Property

Prior to his speakership, in 2005, Marco Rubio chaired a special committee that proposed legislation limiting the state government's authority to take private property.

November 2006: Elected Speaker of the Florida House

In November 2006, Marco Rubio was elected speaker of the Florida House.

November 2006: Sworn in as Speaker

In November 2006, Marco Rubio was sworn in as speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.

2006: Florida Enacts Limitations on Property Authority

In 2006, Florida enacted laws limiting the state government's authority to take private property, following the Kelo v. City of New London Supreme Court decision. This legislation had been proposed by a committee chaired by Marco Rubio.

2006: Publication of "100 Innovative Ideas For Florida's Future"

In 2006, Marco Rubio published the book "100 Innovative Ideas For Florida's Future" after gathering ideas from citizens across the state. Some of the ideas became law, including multiple-year car registrations and expanded school-choice programs.

2006: Re-election

In 2006, Rubio was reelected to a fourth term unopposed.

2007: Apology for Slavery Discussion

In 2007, Marco Rubio supported the idea of the Florida legislature apologizing for slavery, after state senator Tony Hill requested it.

November 2008: End of Speakership

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

2008: Began Teaching at FIU

After leaving the Florida Legislature in 2008, Marco Rubio began teaching at Florida International University (FIU) as an adjunct professor.

2008: Left Florida Legislature

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

2008: Support for Apology for Slavery

In 2008, Marco Rubio supported apologizing for slavery, highlighting the belief among young African-American males that the American dream was not available to them. He also helped set up a council and supported efforts to promote literacy and mentoring for black children.

May 5, 2009: Announced Senate Run

On May 5, 2009, Marco Rubio announced his intention to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Mel Martínez.

April 28, 2010: Crist Runs Without Party Affiliation

On April 28, 2010, Charlie Crist announced he would run for U.S. Senate without a party affiliation, effectively ceding the Republican nomination to Marco Rubio.

November 2, 2010: Won General Election

On November 2, 2010, Marco Rubio won the general election for U.S. Senate with 49% of the vote. He and Bob Menendez became the only two Hispanic Americans in the Senate.

2010: Elected to U.S. Senate

In 2010, Marco Rubio was elected to the U.S. Senate.

March 2011: Supported Military Campaign in Libya

In March 2011, Marco Rubio supported U.S. participation in the military campaign in Libya and urged Senate leaders to bring a resolution authorizing the president's decision to participate.

June 2011: Urged Passage of Authorization for Libya Action

In June 2011, Marco Rubio co-authored an opinion piece for The Wall Street Journal with Senator Joe Lieberman urging passage of authorization for military action in Libya.

October 2011: Pushed for Continued Engagement in Libya

In October 2011, Marco Rubio joined other senators in pushing for continued engagement to help Libya lay the foundation for sustainable security and warned of threats posed by militias and weapons.

2011: Defender of the United States Embargo Against Cuba

During his first year in office, in 2011, Marco Rubio became an influential defender of the United States embargo against Cuba and induced the State Department to withdraw an ambassadorial nomination. Also, he rescued Nancy Reagan from falling during a visit to the Reagan Library.

2011: Elected to the Senate

In 2011, Marco Rubio represented Florida in the United States Senate.

2011: Voted Against Budget Control Act

In 2011, Marco Rubio voted against the Budget Control Act, which included mandatory automatic budget cuts from sequestration, calling it a "terrible idea".

2011: Rejoined FIU Faculty

In 2011, after entering the U.S. Senate, Marco Rubio rejoined the FIU faculty and taught undergraduate courses on Florida politics, political parties, and legislative politics.

2011: No Interest in Running for President or Vice President

Shortly after taking office in 2011, Marco Rubio stated he had no interest in running for president or vice president in the 2012 presidential election.

March 2012: Endorsed Mitt Romney for President

In March 2012, Marco Rubio endorsed Mitt Romney for president and stated he did not expect or want to be selected as a vice presidential running mate, though he was vetted for the position.

2012: Voted Against Fiscal Cliff Resolutions

In 2012, Marco Rubio voted against the "fiscal cliff" resolutions, stating they would force small businesses to make difficult decisions that could lead to layoffs and reduced benefits.

April 2013: Voted against expansion of background checks for gun purchases

In April 2013, Rubio voted against an expansion of background checks for gun purchases, arguing increased regulatory measures would do little to help capture criminals. He also voted against publishing the Senate Intelligence Committee report on CIA torture.

November 2014: Pushed for the elimination of the "risk corridors"

In November 2014, with Republicans taking control of the U.S. Senate, Rubio pushed for the elimination of the "risk corridors" used by the federal government to compensate insurers for their losses as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

2014: Republicans Obtained Majority Control of the Senate

After the 2014 midterm elections, the Republicans obtained majority control of the Senate, giving Marco Rubio and the Republicans vast federal influence during the final two years of Barack Obama's presidency, as well as during all four years of Donald Trump's presidency.

2014: Chief of Staff Change

In 2014, Alberto Martinez succeeded Cesar Conda as Marco Rubio's chief of staff, with Conda remaining as a part-time advisor.

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: Rubio Decided to Run for President

In April 2015, Marco Rubio decided to run for president instead of seeking reelection to the Senate.

April 2015: Launched Presidential Bid

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

November 2015: Rubio advocates for barring Syrian refugees after Paris attacks

In November 2015, after the Paris terrorist attacks, Marco Rubio said that, because background checks could not be done, the U.S. should accept no more Syrian refugees.

February 6, 2016: Criticized by Chris Christie for speaking repetitiously in a debate

During a nationally televised debate among Republican candidates in New Hampshire on February 6, 2016, Rubio was criticized by rival Chris Christie for speaking repetitiously, with Christie saying Rubio sounded "scripted".

February 2016: Rubio criticizes Trump during Republican primary campaign

In February 2016, during the Republican primary campaign, Marco Rubio criticized Donald Trump, calling him a "con artist" and saying that Trump is "wholly unprepared to be president of the United States".

March 15, 2016: Suspended Presidential Campaign

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

March 2016: Rubio Opposes Obama's Supreme Court Nomination

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

May 17, 2016: Supported Obama's request for emergency spending on the Zika virus

On May 17, 2016, Rubio broke from the Republican majority in his support of Obama's request for $2 billion in emergency spending on the Zika virus, acknowledging that it was the scientists' request, the doctors' request, the public health sector's request for how to address this issue.

June 13, 2016: Seemed to open the door to running for reelection

On June 13, 2016, Marco Rubio "seemed to open the door to running for reelection" to the Senate, citing the Orlando nightclub shooting.

June 2016: Rubio reaffirms concerns about Trump having access to nuclear codes

In June 2016, after Donald Trump became the presumptive GOP nominee, Marco Rubio reaffirmed his February 2016 comments that we must not hand "the nuclear codes of the United States to an erratic individual".

July 20, 2016: Rubio endorses Trump

On July 20, 2016, after Donald Trump won the Republican Party's nomination, Marco Rubio endorsed him after previously criticizing him during the Republican primary campaign.

August 30, 2016: Won Republican Primary

On August 30, 2016, Marco Rubio won the Republican primary for his Senate seat, defeating Carlos Beruff.

2016: Rubio backs Trump and attends Republican National Convention

In 2016, Marco Rubio backed Donald Trump for president, citing that Trump would sign a repeal of the Affordable Care Act and replace Antonin Scalia with a conservative Supreme Court Justice. Rubio also confirmed he would be attending the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, where he intended to release his pledged delegates to support Trump.

2016: Presidential Candidacy

In 2016, Marco Rubio was a candidate in the Republican Party primary elections for President of the United States.

April 5, 2017: Said Bashar al-Assad felt he could act with "impunity"

On April 5, 2017, Rubio stated that Bashar al-Assad felt he could act with "impunity" because the United States was not prioritizing removing him from office.

February 2018: Rubio Defends NRA Contributions at CNN Town Hall

During a CNN town hall event in February 2018, following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, Marco Rubio defended his record of accepting contributions from the National Rifle Association (NRA), stating that the influence of these groups comes from the millions of people who agree with their agenda, not from money.

March 2018: Rubio Defends Citizenship Question on 2020 Census

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

July 2018: Rubio Proposes Amendment on Real Estate Purchases

In July 2018, Marco Rubio offered an amendment to a major congressional spending bill to potentially force companies that purchase real estate in cash to disclose their owners in an attempt to root out criminals who use illicit funds and anonymous shell companies to buy homes.

August 28, 2018: Rubio Urges Sanctions Against Chinese Officials

On August 28, 2018, Marco Rubio and 16 other members of Congress urged 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 adopts more hardline views on immigration

In 2018, Marco Rubio distanced himself from his previous efforts to reach a compromise on immigration, and developed more hardline views on immigration, rejecting bipartisan immigration reform efforts.

January 2019: Became Florida's Senior Senator

In January 2019, Marco Rubio became Florida's senior senator.

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

In April 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 8-1 to defeat Marco Rubio's attempt to stop the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

November 2020: Announced Run for Third Senate Term

In November 2020, Marco Rubio announced his intention to run for a third Senate term in the 2022 election.

November 23, 2020: Referred to Biden as president-elect.

By November 23, 2020, Rubio referred to Biden as president-elect, after initially defending Trump's right to assert claims of election fraud.

2020: Democrats Regained Majority Control of the Senate

After the 2020 elections, the Democrats regained majority control of the Senate, and Marco Rubio has reassumed minority status within the Senate.

2020: China Sanctions Rubio

In 2020, China sanctioned Marco Rubio and banned him from traveling to the country for his support of Hong Kong's democracy movement.

May 2021: Argued that "Wall Street must stop enabling Communist China"

In May 2021, Rubio argued that "Wall Street must stop enabling Communist China" in The American Prospect and on his website.

May 28, 2021: Voted against creating the January 6 commission

On May 28, 2021, Rubio voted against creating the January 6 commission after previously voting to certify the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count and acquitting Trump for his role in inciting the mob to storm the Capitol.

February 2022: Rubio Condemns Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

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

2022: Rubio Condemns 2022 Winter Olympics in China

In 2022, Marco Rubio condemned holding the 2022 Winter Olympics in China, citing its "evil, genocidal regime" and vowing to prevent future Olympics from being hosted there. He also introduced the Chinese Communist Party Visa Ban Act.

2022: Reelected to Senate

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

March 2023: Rubio Supports Revoking China's Trade Relations Status

In March 2023, Marco Rubio voiced 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 and expressed his support for Israel's right to self-defense. He called for the complete eradication of Hamas in Gaza and stated that Israel cannot coexist with "these savages".

November 2024: Rubio Calls Ukraine War 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.