ARIZONA ELECTION

Former Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl throws support behind Marco Rubio

Jan 26, 2016, 3:56 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2016, 10:03 am

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. arrives for a campaign event at America...

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. arrives for a campaign event at American Legion Post 34, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016 in Oskaloosa, Iowa. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

(AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

PHOENIX — On the same day Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio reportedly endorsed Donald Trump, a former Arizona politician threw his support behind Sen. Marco Rubio.

“In view of all of the challenges that we face, it seems to me that Marco Rubio has the best leadership skills and certainly on matters of national security,” former U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) said.

Kyl and Rubio worked together closely during Kyl’s time as Senate minority whip, one of the highest leadership positions on Capitol Hill. He said Rubio is the type of leader America needs given the current state of affairs, both domestic and abroad.

“(Americans) want strength and they want knowledge and experience in that area of dealing with terrorists, standing up to the Russians, the Iranians, the North Koreans, and all the rest of it,” he said. “I think Marco Rubio is clearly the superior candidate.”

If Rubio does not become the Republican nomination for president, Kyl said he would support the party’s decision.

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Former Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl throws support behind Marco Rubio