Getty Marco Rubio secures another top GOP donor

Ken Griffin, one of the top 10 biggest GOP donors in 2012, threw his support behind Marco Rubio on Wednesday.

The decision by another major establishment donor signals the GOP donor class is starting to coalesce behind the Florida senator as Donald Trump and an ascendant Ted Cruz have moved to the front of the GOP pack.


“I am very excited to support Senator Marco Rubio in his effort to become the 45th President of the United States," Griffin said. "I have known Senator Rubio for a number of years and he is an inspiring, courageous and bold leader who embodies the American dream of freedom and equal opportunity for all."

Griffin had already contributed to Rubio's campaign, as well to Jeb Bush and Scott Walker.

But with Walker out of the race and Bush unable gain any momentum, Rubio is increasingly viewed by donors as the party's most acceptable and electable nominee among the candidates who appear to be viable with less than two months until the Iowa caucuses.

In the last month, Rubio has won the backing of billionaire hedge fund magnate Paul Singer last month, Idaho financier Frank VanderSloot and Michigan businessman John Rakolta--all adding major fundraising muscle to an operation that is still working to build out the organizational bandwidth to match rivals such as Bush and Cruz.

In Griffin, whose net worth is estimated by Forbes to be $7 billion, Rubio gets a major hard-dollar bundler, which is critical given that super PACs pay exponentially higher rates for television advertising than campaigns do.

Griffin has shown a willingness to go all-in for political candidates, including Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, to whom he contributed $5.5 million and the use of his private plane in 2014.

"Senator Rubio is uniquely qualified to lead our nation with conviction and courage to tackle the pressing issues of our time, whether it’s strengthening our military, ensuring the safety of our people, or lifting the weight of government from our shoulders in everything from free enterprise to health care," Griffin said. "He possesses the vision, talent and determination to renew the American spirit for generations to come.”