Ledyard King

USATODAY

CLEVELAND -- Not that long ago, Marco Rubio was planning to spend this week triumphantly accepting his party's presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention.

Instead, Florida’s junior senator on Monday visited Fort Myers to discuss water pollution and Stuart to discuss algae blooms. On Tuesday, he met with Orlando business owners about the financial impact of last month’s massacre at Pulse nightclub. And Wednesday, he'll tour a federal courthouse in Pensacola to discuss mold issues, before visiting nearby Eglin Air Force Base.

Such is the life of an ex-White House candidate whose campaign fell short. With a tough re-election race before him, Rubio is scrambling to make up for a late start by traveling across the state.

He is not traveling to Cleveland to help nominate Donald Trump, who trounced him in Florida's GOP presidential primary. Instead, Rubio has recorded a short video that will air at the convention Wednesday night amid speeches from Trump surrogates promoting the theme “Make America First Again.”

Some see Rubio’s absence from the convention as the continuation of a campaign feud in which Trump derided him as “little Marco” and Rubio called the real estate mogul a “con man.”

But since giving up his presidential bid, Rubio has grudgingly gotten behind Trump. He said his decision to stay in Florida doesn't mean he's reluctant to endorse the GOP nominee.

Instead, he wants to make the most of his time in the state in the short time remaining before he faces businessman Carlos Beruff in the Aug. 30 primary. After initially saying he wouldn't run for re-election, Rubio changed his mind and declared for a second term on June 22.

Marco Rubio to run for re-election to the Senate

"It has nothing to do with Donald,” Rubio said. “I’m running for the U.S. Senate. And leaving for a week to Ohio after getting into this race so late, didn’t make sense.”

At least one person is happy Rubio decided to stay in the Sunshine State to shake hands, meet donors, and address mold problems.

Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said Rubio's video gives him a virtual presence at the convention without cutting into the time he needs to campaign in Florida.

“He probably made a smart decision,’’ he said. “The people of Florida are relieved that they’re going to be able to once again choose Marco Rubio.’’

Contributing: Deborah Barfield Berry, USA TODAY

Twitter: @ledgeking