U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., is ready to launch a bid to replace U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., setting up a competitive Democratic primary with U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla.
Roll Call reported on Wednesday that Grayson will kick off his bid on Thursday. Over the last few weeks, Grayson has left the door open to entering the Senate race. During July, Grayson has picked up the pace, throwing more hints that he was set to announce a bid and calling on his supporters to open their wallets.
“Do you want to see a senator who will stand tall in the Senate with Elizabeth Warren and Sherrod Brown, in favor of progressivism and progress?" Grayson asked supporters in an email sent out early this week. “Do you want someone in the Senate who works hard, having introduced more bills in the past two years in the House of Representatives than any other member?”
Grayson promised he would run as a “fearless and tireless champion for justice, equality, compassion and peace" and insisted he isn’t owned by lobbyists, special interests, millionaires, billionaires and multinational corporations.”
The Democratic leadership, including the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee (DSCC), is solidly behind Murphy but Grayson has been effective in building a national network of liberal donors. Grayson insisted this week that he would answer to the voters, not the special interests or Democratic leadership.
“I can’t and I won’t ‘borrow’ $40 million from corporate special interests, and ‘pay it back’ with my votes later on,” Grayson wrote. “That’s not the way I do this job. I am unbought and unbossed, and they know it. I owe nothing to anyone but We the People.”
Murphy is more moderate than Grayson and is seen by Democratic strategists as more electable. During his time in Congress, Grayson has won national attention for his strident attacks against Republicans and his ugly divorce proceedings.
On Wednesday, Murphy’s Senate campaign announced it had almost $2.5 million in the bank and had brought in more than $1.4 million in the second quarter of 2015.
"I am so honored for the support I've received in this campaign," Murphy said on Wednesday. "Floridians understand how important this election is, and their early support is critical in helping get our message out. I look forward to continuing to share my vision for strengthening Florida's middle class with people across the state."
Besides the DSCC, Murphy has reeled in the support of almost 20 Senate Democrats including Bill Nelson of Florida, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Barbara Boxer of California and Al Franken of Minnesota.
On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., is already in the race and businessman Todd Wilcox entered the contest on Wednesday. U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., and Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera are also expected to enter the Republican primary. Republican strategist Roger Stone is a possible candidate on the Libertarian line.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
