MY STORY: Marco, #MeToo, and My Life in the Fight.

Early in 2022, I received a phone call from an anonymous, blocked phone caller.  This person told me that I should be prepared for a rough campaign cycle, especially in Arkansas, because “all of your clients are going to be smeared with your dirt from the Rubio days.” 

That day came and went. At the end of that election cycle, I felt that for the first time I should publicly address all of the rumors, allegations, and innuendo surrounding a very public issue for me dating back to 2017.  

To the few that this truth will hurt, I apologize in advance.  To those who might read this for the first time and will be disappointed -- I’m sorry.  In almost six (6) years now, I have never made a public statement, but I feel it’s important to tell the true story. 

In 2016, I first met a woman on the Marco Rubio Presidential Campaign in South Carolina.  That brief interaction ultimately became a consensual relationship as I became Marco Rubio’s Campaign Manager on his re-election campaign to the United States Senate. 

We won, and I never wanted or envisioned being Senator Rubio’s Chief of Staff.   My goal was to go back home to Little Rock, Arkansas and re-join my successful political consulting firm.   The scenario for Chief of Staff that Senator Rubio, myself, and his team had planned for – could not become a reality. 

Ultimately, Senator Rubio asked me to be his Chief of Staff.  I told him that I needed to discuss with a few people – my parents, and I also wanted to discuss with the woman that I had the relationship with.  I returned home for Thanksgiving and discussed taking the Chief of Staff job with her and her response was, “I’m back in D.C., I’m happy here,  and I think you should do it. We can work together.”  I took the job.

I began work as Senator Rubio’s Chief of Staff on January 1, 2017.  A few weeks later, a consensual relationship was renewed.  After a few short weeks, the relationship became toxic.  The relationship ended in the early spring of 2017.

Within a few weeks, I was presented a letter from the woman asking for what constituted as a $35,000 yearly raise and a promotion within the office.   There were no open positions for advancement.   At this very point, I could foresee the outcome.  I made the decision that misappropriating taxpayer dollars to fulfill this request was potentially a criminal offense based on my previous relationship with her.  I then presented the request to Senator Rubio and we both agreed that substantial of a raise was not warranted at that time.   In full transparency, I did not disclose my previous relationship with her to Senator Rubio.  Nonetheless, the woman was granted full employee benefits that all other employees were offered during this time – an employee review, a 10% raise in-line with all other employees, and an annual bonus. 

A very short time later, the woman accepted another position within the Trump Administration.  

Fast forward several months to January 2018, and I was asked to come to a meeting at 8 pm on a Saturday evening to discuss an “internal issue.”  In serving at the pleasure of Senator Rubio and being considered an at-will employee, it was there that my employment was terminated.  The investigation that led to my termination I’m sure was meant to be thoughtful and based in fact, but it was not.  

After terminating me, Senator Rubio asked me if I had anything to say for myself.  I stated, “Senator Rubio, there is another side to this story, but I know you don’t want to hear it.  With what all is happening with the #metoo movement, I understand what this is about.   I just want to say, ‘thank you for giving me an opportunity to serve you and the people of Florida.’   I got up, packed my things, and exited the United States Senate for the last time.   

A press release was issued at 10 pm on a Saturday night.  This is the full story about the “dirt from my Rubio days” – nothing less, nothing more.

From that day, I’ve done my best to handle what happened to me with dignity, grace, and humility.   I basically took a year off from work, travelled, started a few businesses, and wrestled with whether to re-engage in politics.  Often when wrestling with that decision, I would be reminded of Teddy Roosevelt’s, “The Man in the Arena.”

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

So, in 2019, I decided to re-enter politics.  I did so knowing that I would forever have to answer these accusations and allegations.   However, I would not be a timid soul.

I’ve seen it all in politics:  Air Force One, the Situation Room at the White House, assassination plots, category 5 hurricanes (and their responses), seen parts of the world that were never imaginable for a boy from Royal, Arkansas.  You name it, I’ve probably done it.  I’ve been thoroughly blessed.  Blessed beyond measure, but I’m most thankful for those who helped me every step of the way.

Once you experience the underbelly of politics and back away from it for a bit, you will never view it the same. 

Now, my focus is just on trying to elect good people who want to do the right things – be true to their conservative principles of lower taxes, less government, and more liberty.  I don’t care if it’s a city council race or presidential race, I just want to help good people and then hold them accountable to their principles. 

Since re-entering politics, I’ve had multiple opposing candidates run ads about my “Rubio dirt” to try and defeat my candidates, I’ve had political operatives tell my clients, ‘Would you leave your daughter in a room alone with him” in an effort to keep clients from hiring me, and I’ve had people spread salacious lies stating “he molested an intern” to try and get my clients to fire me.   Welcome to politics.  It is definitely not for the timid souls.  

Since 2018, my firms have done work in over 30 states; I’m proud of what we have accomplished.  Yes, I still have to answer these questions.  It’s just part of my story.  I own it.  I tell potential clients often, “If it bothers you, I totally understand.  I never want my perceived shortcomings to be a reflection on you or your family.” 

However, in these times, I do cherish a great benefit of my story-  I have been able to mentor and  share my story about how our actions today can and will follow us forever. 

Politics is most often sensationalized and filled with suggestions that are not accurate.  I don’t expect my telling of my story to be a whitewash for my actions or my short-comings as a person.  I own them; I am still a very imperfect person. 

I’ve acknowledged my role that led to my termination.  I’ve sought forgiveness from my Creator.  That is all I need.

Politics is different for me now. I can only trust my 20 years of fighting the good fight, my body of political work, and my work product will allow me to contribute to a worthy cause beyond myself and muscle through this ever-raging #cancelculture.   Regardless, I will continue to handle this chapter of my life with dignity, humility, and grace.  I’m truly thankful for great clients and a small, handful of faithful friends who never gave up on me through a very dark, difficult time in my life.  Perseverance conquers all – God willing.