Miami-Area Republican Debate: Bush, Rubio May Get Chance For Home-State GOP Showdown

If Florida's Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush are still in the running for the Republican presidential nomination when March rolls around, they may get to have a hometown showdown. The Republican National Committee announced Wednesday that the University of Miami in Coral Gables will host the GOP debate scheduled for March 10, the Miami Herald reported.

Rubio, a U.S. senator from Florida, and Bush, a former Florida governor, have appeared on the main stage for all of the GOP debates this election season, but their campaigns will have to weather several early primaries and caucuses, including Super Tuesday, March 1, before the Miami-area debate.

In the latest Monmouth University poll, Rubio received support from 11 percent of likely Republican primary voters, while Bush saw support from 5 percent. Most national polls show Rubio in third place behind businessman Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

The Florida debate will be held five days ahead of the state's March 15 primary. CNN, the Washington Times and Salem Radio Network have been tapped to host the University of Miami debate. It is slated to be the last of 12 scheduled GOP primary debates.

The Miami area also will host a Democratic Party debate one night before the GOP face-off. Univision and the Washington Post will host the Democratic event March 9 at Miami Dade College in Kendall.