File:US Senator of Florida Marco Rubio (17177970256).jpg

1. FITN First In Nation Republican Leadership Summit, Nashua, New Hampshire

Crowne Plaza Nashua Address: 2 Somerset Pkwy, Nashua, NH 03063

Every four years, the political world descends upon New Hampshire to take part in the “First-in-the-Nation” Presidential Primary. On April 17th and 18th that excitement will again percolate in the Granite State for the #FITN Republican Leadership Conference.

Marco Antonio Rubio (born May 28, 1971) is the junior United States Senator from Florida, serving since January 2011. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives (2007–2009).

A Cuban American native of Miami, Florida, Rubio is a graduate of the University of Florida and the University of Miami Law School. In the late 1990s, he served as a City Commissioner for West Miami and was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2000, representing the 111th House district. He was elected Speaker in November 2006.

Rubio announced a run for U.S. Senate in May 2009 after incumbent Republican Mel Martinez resigned. Initially trailing by double-digits against the incumbent Republican Governor Charlie Crist, Rubio eventually surpassed him in polling for the Republican nomination. Rubio won the Republican nomination after Crist opted instead to run with no party affiliation. In a three-way split against Crist and Democratic candidate Kendrick Meek, Rubio won the general election in November 2010 with 48.9 percent of the vote. He is one of three Latinos in the Senate, along with Bob Menendez of New Jersey and Ted Cruz of Texas.