Rubio Says He's 'Uniquely Qualified' for President

Sen. Marco Rubio became the latest Republican to join the 2016 race for president Monday night.

"After months of deliberation and prayer about the future of our country, I have come here tonight to make an announcement on how I believe I can best serve her," the Florida lawmaker said. "Grounded by the lessons of our history but inspired by the promise of our future I announce my candidacy for President of the United States."

Earlier Monday, the 43-year-old senator told donors he is "uniquely qualified" to pitch the GOP as the party that can keep the American dream alive.

"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," Rubio told donors before his early evening Miami rally.

Rubio's announcement comes just one day after former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced her presidential bid.

The move is seemingly designed to draw a contrast between the two contenders, with Rubio being the fresh-faced candidate representing a new generation and Clinton being the old-school Washington insider.

"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 told his donors earlier Monday. "Just yesterday, we heard from a leader from yesterday who wants to take us back to yesterday. But I feel that this country has always been about tomorrow."

"We have to change the decisions that we're making as a nation," he said. "And the best way to change the decisions that we are making is to change the people who are making them."

The Florida conservative asked his supporters to pray for him.

He also quoted a Bible verse he says gives him strength: "Be strong and courageous. Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."