Marco Rubio nabs another big GOP donor

Fredreka Schouten | USA TODAY

Marco Rubio is on a roll, picking up the endorsement Thursday of yet another big-name Republican fundraiser.

North Carolina discount store magnate Art Pope told The News & Observer that he intends raise money for the Florida senator’s presidential campaign.

“I think he’s the best-qualified candidate based on his public service and life experiences, and I agree with him on most of the issues,” Pope told the Raleigh, N.C. paper.

While Pope may not be a household name, he’s an influential player in conservative politics. Pope, the owner of Variety Wholesalers, is former budget director for North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory and a long-time ally of libertarian billionaire Charles Koch. (Koch has not endorsed anyone in the GOP primary.)

Pope’s move comes as a day after Chicago hedge-fund billionaire Ken Griffin announced his support for Rubio. The freshman senator also has picked up endorsements from financier Paul Singer and Idaho businessman Frank VanderSloot, who was a top fundraiser for Mitt Romney’s 2012 campaign.