Rubio chief heads to PAC

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Marco Rubio announced on Friday that longtime chief of staff Cesar Conda will leave for the Florida Republican’s political action committee.

Rubio’s PAC, Reclaim America, contributes to congressional candidates and has run ads boosting Rep. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) in his run for Senate and defending Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) after she drew attacks after voting against firearm background check legislation.

Conda has been Rubio’s chief since 2011 and will be replaced by current deputy chief of staff Alberto Martinez, who joined the office in 2013. State director Todd Reid will become Martinez’s top lieutenant in the Florida senator’s office. Conda will also stay on as a part-time advisor to Rubio’s Senate office.

“As we look forward to big things the rest of this year and beyond, this will allow us to maximize our team’s strengths as we work to outline a conservative governing vision for the 21st century and elect a Republican Senate majority,” Rubio, a potential 2016 presidential contender, said of the moves.

Both Conda and Martinez have worked on past GOP presidential campaigns. Rubio has said he will decide if he will run for the presidency or reelection to the Senate in spring of 2015.