Patrick Murphy Reels in Mayoral Endorsements for Senate Bid

The Democratic leadership continues to line up behind U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., in the race to replace U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., in the Senate next year. Rubio is running for the Republican presidential nomination.

On Thursday, Murphy announced West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman endorsed his Senate bid.

"I am proud to support Patrick Murphy for U.S. Senate," said Muoio. "His values and principles are the kind of qualities our state deserves. He is a fierce defender of our rights and an effective, balanced leader who knows how to work with others to ensure our state's success."

"I am pleased and honored to endorse a dedicated public servant in Congressman Patrick Murphy," said Kriseman. "I know that he will be an outstanding United States senator, and serve the people well."

In the meantime, U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., continues to leave the door open to a Senate bid of his own. Grayson had a bad week with reports emerging of his Cayman Island investments, even as he called out corporations for using offshore accounts to avoid taxes. The congressman responded to Adam Smith of the Tampa Bay Times with a string of curse words.