Rubio's political reckoning arrives in Florida primary

MIAMI (AP) — Florida Sen. Marco Rubio was among the Republican Party's biggest stars when he burst onto the national stage in the tea party wave of 2010.

The Cuban-American's desire to become the nation's first Hispanic president, and his past support for a forgiving immigration policy, have failed to excite conservative primary voters who instead have flocked to Donald Trump's nativist politics.

Rubio is the decided underdog to the billionaire businessman in Tuesday's do-or-die home-state contest.

Should his presidential bid end in disappointment, many who know him expect a political comeback, though those closest to Rubio believe he could turn to the private sector to help provide for his family.

With four school-age children, Rubio has struggled with his personal finances in recent years, cashing out a retirement account as recently as 2014 to upgrade home appliances and pay for school costs.

[...] Federal Election Commission rules allow him to transfer any unused money from his presidential campaign to a Senate campaign account, albeit with caveats about individual donor limits.

The vast majority of recent Republican presidential nominees have not captured the nomination in their first attempts.

"People are still getting to know Marco," said Luis Rodriguez, a longtime Rubio supporter and former vice chairman of the Dade County Republican Party.