US Republican Marco Rubio ends 2016 White House bid

[WASHINGTON] Marco Rubio ended his campaign on Tuesday for the Republican presidential nomination after failing to translate support from the party's establishment into victories in primary states.

"While this may not have been the year for a hopeful and optimistic message about our future, I still remain hopeful and optimistic about America," he told supporters in his home state of Florida following his projected loss there to rival Donald Trump.

The decision also came after poor performances last week in Michigan and Mississippi where he attracted only single-digit support in the polls.

REUTERS