Rubio says he's standing by Trump

Sen. Marco RubioMarco RubioRubio says he's standing by Trump The Hill's 12:30 Report Florida poll: Rubio 'appears to be on his way to re-election' MORE (R-Fla.) announced Tuesday that he’s sticking by his support of his former presidential primary rival Donald TrumpDonald TrumpObama's economic legacy ensures Democrats decades of success DOJ to charge 'Sheriff Joe' Arpaio with criminal contempt White House labels Trump comments 'sexual assault' MORE in the wake of footage surfacing of the Republican presidential nominee making crude comments about women.

“I ran against Donald Trump,” Rubio said in a statement. “And while I respect that voters chose him as the GOP nominee, I have never hesitated to oppose his policies I disagree with. And I have consistently rejected his offensive rhetoric and behavior. I disagree with him on many things, but I disagree with his opponent on virtually everything.”

The two had a contentious relationship during the primary. Trump routinely mocked Rubio, referring to him as “Little Marco,” while the Florida senator sought to draw attention to Trump's famously small hands.

Rubio later threw his support behind Trump after the business mogul won the Republican nomination, arguing that he would be better than Democratic nominee Hillary ClintonHillary Rodham ClintonObama's economic legacy ensures Democrats decades of success Trumped-up justice Eric Trump: 'Locker room banter' common among 'alpha personalities' MORE.

The statement on Tuesday comes amid fallout from a tape published by The Washington Post on Friday showing Trump boasting about groping female genitalia and admitting that he made sexual advances on a married woman.

After the video came out, a number of Republicans revoked their support of Trump, while several others called on him to step down from the presidential ticket.

“I wish we had better choices for President,” Rubio said Tuesday. “But I do not want Hillary Clinton to be our next President. And therefore my position has not changed."