Story highlights Art Pope said he'd been meeting with many Republican candidates and made up his mind this week

He said Rubio's experience as speaker of the Florida House especially appealed to him

Washington (CNN) Florida Sen. Marco Rubio picked up another big-name donor in the presidential race on Thursday, this time one from North Carolina.

Art Pope, a philanthropist and CEO of Variety Wholesalers, said he would support Rubio's campaign in the GOP primary and in the general election.

Pope said he'd been meeting with many of the Republican candidates and made up his mind this week.

"I think Sen. Marco Rubio is both the most qualified, has the best all-around experience, and I agree with him more so on the issues than all the other candidates," Pope told CNN.

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