(Image via Twitter)
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio dropped out of the race for the White House on Tuesday after losing his home state to rival and GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump.
Trump won the winner-take-all state with 45 percent of votes, followed by Rubio with 27 percent and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz with 17 percent.
During his concession speech, Rubio said that “it is clear” this year is not his year to become U.S. president.
“While it is God’s plan that I will not be president in 2016… the fact that I came this far is evidence of how great America truly is,” he said.
He encouraged Americans not to let fear and anger motivate their voting decisions, no doubt referring to Trump and his campaign's rhetoric.
“While this is not the year for a hopeful and optimistic message, I remain hopeful and optimistic for America,” said Rubio.
Watch a short video clip from his opening remarks below.