Marco Rubio Announces 2016 Presidential Run, Says He's 'Uniquely Qualified'

Senator Marco Rubio of Florida speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at National Harbor, Maryland March 14, 2013. | (Photo: Reuters/Kevin LaMarque)

Florida Senator Marco Rubio announced his plans to run during the 2016 presidential election this week, saying that he sees himself as a "uniquely qualified" candidate to continue with the American dream while in the White House.

Rubio announced his candidacy to top donors on Monday, and is expected to make a more public announcement during a rally in Miami, Florida on Monday evening.

According to attendees of Rubio's Monday breakfast for donors, the 2016 presidential runner said that he hopes to bring Americans into the future. During his morning speech, Rubio reportedly referenced "one candidate in the race who's from yesterday and who wants to take us back to yesterday," according to one attendee.

As the New York Times points out, Rubio is the youngest candidate to announce his plans for a 2016 presidential bid, and he's likely to present himself as a fresh face for the White House, compared to former Florida Governor Jeb Bush of the Bush political family and former First Lady Hillary Clinton of the Clinton political family.

Another source familiar with Rubio's donor speech on Monday says the senator explained to his donors that he is "uniquely qualified" to represent the GOP ticket in the 2016 presidential race.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Rubio told his donors that he feels he can effectively communicate with the young generation of voters, as well as minorities.

"I feel uniquely qualified to not just make that argument, but to outline the policies that we need to have in order to achieve it," he said.

"The Republican Party, for the first time in a long time, has a chance in this election to be the party of the future," Rubio added to his donors.