Florida Democrats keep lining up behind U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., in the 2016 U.S. Senate race but U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., continues to leave the door open to running.
The latest Florida Democrat to get in line behind Murphy was U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., who announced on Monday she was backing him in the Senate race. The seat is currently held by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. Expected to launch a presidential campaign in the weeks to come, Rubio has said he wont run for a second term in the Senate if he runs for president.
"It has been an honor to serve in Congress with Patrick Murphy, who shares my commitment to improving Florida by protecting hard-working American families, preserving Social Security and Medicare, and fighting for equality and women's rights, Frankel said on Monday. I am proud to support his campaign for U.S. Senate, where I know he will continue to be a strong Democratic leader and advocate for our community."
In his first week as a Senate candidate, Murphy is starting to pull in some major endorsements, including those of fellow Florida Democrats former Gov. Charlie Crist, U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch and U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings. Both Crist and Deutch received some buzz as possible Democratic Senate candidates. So had U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), but she said earlier in the month she would not run.
However, Grayson, who has a strong network of liberal supporters across the nation which should help him with fundraising if he decides on a Senate bid, continues to weigh his options.
Grayson spoke with Tyrel Ventura, the son of former Gov. Jesse Ventura, Reform-Minn., last week on the inaugural episode of Watching the Hawks, a show on RT America geared toward millennials
.
Have you made a decision about running for the Senate? Ventura asked.
No I havent, Grayson said. Im waiting to see what the people want.
I think that the people would be very pleased to see you [in the Senate], Ventura replied.
You move to Florida; I want your vote, a smiling Grayson said.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
