Patrick Murphy Raises $2 Million in First Quarter

U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., says he's raised big money for his Senate campaign bid to replace Marco Rubio. 

On Monday, Murphy announced his campaign had raised $2 million during the first quarter of 2016 and now has $5.6 million cash on hand. 

Murphy's campaign team attributed a significant chunk of the first quarter fundraising to grassroots donations. 

“The support for our campaign, from Pensacola to Key West, keeps growing, and I could not be prouder of the inclusive, grassroots campaign we are building," Murphy explained. This support is humbling, and I will keep working every day to win the trust of each and every Floridian."

Murphy vowed to fight to "protect Social Security" as well as Medicare in the Senate and also said he would help protect women's health care. 

As of Monday, Murphy had raised more money than any other candidate in the race, including Democratic rival Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla. 

The battle between the two has been nothing but fierce so far, with Murphy throwing mud on his opponent by alleging Grayson has violated congressional ethics and demanding he resign from the House.