While he may have done well running for Congress in 2012 and 2014 by showcasing his independence, U.S. Rep Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., has Beltway Democrats lining up behind him in his run for the U.S. Senate seat in 2016 currently held by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. Running for the Republican presidential nomination, Rubio has said he will not run for a second Senate term.
On Monday, Murphy was endorsed by U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., the chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC).
Patrick Murphy is one of our partys most promising rising stars, and his track record of fighting for Floridas working families, seniors, and the environment make him the strongest candidate to win the Florida Senate race and flip this seat, Tester said in his endorsement. During his time in the House, Patrick has stepped up to protect the Florida Everglades, voted down extreme proposals that would harm Medicare, voted to protect Social Security and fought to ensure that working families are given a fair chance to get ahead. I am confident that Patrick will continue working hard for all Floridians following his successful election to the Senate and we are proud to support his campaign.
Testers endorsement is just the latest sign the party leadership is getting behind Murphy. Last week, 25 state legislators endorsed Murphy.
The Senate candidate has been reeling in the support of other prominent Florida Democrats including former Gov. Charlie Crist and members of Congress like U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch, Lois Frankel, Alcee Hastings and Frederica Wilson since he launched his campaign at the end of March.
Even as Tester threw his weight behind Murphy, the GOP pointed to another Democrat in the Senate behind the Florida congressman: U.S. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
Congressman Murphy might believe that having Harry Reids endorsement will score him points with his Washington friends, but it will backfire with Floridas families who want an independent leader who will help grow our economy, protect our country and get our fiscal house in order, said Matt Connelly, a spokesman for the National Republican Senate Committee (NRSC), on Monday. Regardless of what Democrat wins the primary, their record will be far out of step with Floridians looking to strengthen the middle class and protect Medicare.
Even with his partys leadership lining up behind Murphy, U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., continues to leave the door open to a Senate bid of his own. On Monday, Grayson emailed the Tampa Bay Times, insisting he will probably enter the race.
"Florida Democratic voters choose our party nominee, not out-of-touch party bosses sipping cognac in a smoke-filled room in Washington, D,C.," Grayson emailed the Tampa Bay Times. "As I said before, I am probably going to run for the Senate."
On the Republican side, possible candidates include former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, U.S. Rep. Curt Clawson, R-Fla., U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla., U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Fla., Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, former Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum and former Florida Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
