Presidential races

Sen. Rubio schedules trip to New Hampshire

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is slated to attend a May fundraiser in New Hampshire, which is home to the nation’s first presidential primary. 

Rubio is scheduled to attend the Rockingham County Republican Committee’s fundraiser on May 9 in New Castle, N.H., according to WMUR. The county holds the largest concentration of Republicans in the state, according to the station.

A spokesman for Rubio’s leadership PAC confirmed the trip. 

{mosads}Visits to early nominating states — like Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina — are a critical step for potential presidential candidates. Rubio has said he will not make a decision about a run in 2016 until next year. 

Rubio has visited Iowa only once since 2012, when shortly after the election he attended the birthday fundraiser for Gov. Terry Branstad (R).

Potential 2016 rivals Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) have spent the most time in the early nominating states.  

A recent CNN poll of potential candidates for the GOP nomination found Rubio trailed the pack with about 5 percent support.

On the Democratic side, Vice President Biden, who has not ruled out another presidential run, is scheduled to visit New Hampshire on Tuesday to tout job training program. He will help raise money for three Democratic candidates while visiting the state.