Former Florida Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich, who ran for governor last year, announced on Wednesday that she is backing U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., in next year’s U.S. Senate race.
The Broward County Democrat, who offered former Gov. Charlie Crist a challenge from the left in last year’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, called on her backers to vote for Murphy.
"Patrick is a leader with intelligence and integrity who I know will always defend a woman's right to choose, protect Social Security and Medicare from cuts, and fight to preserve Florida's environment,” Rich said. “In Congress, Patrick Murphy weighs every vote by one standard — how it will impact hard-working Florida families. I urge my supporters and Democrats all across Florida to support Patrick Murphy for Senate.”
"I'm humbled and excited to have the support of one of Florida's great Democratic leaders,” Murphy said. “Sen. Nan Rich is a trusted progressive who has dedicated her career to supporting Florida's children, families, and seniors, and she is an inspiration to me. In the U.S. Senate, I will work everyday to bring people together to strengthen Medicare and Social Security, protect women's healthcare rights, and grow our nation's middle class.”
Rich joins her old rival Crist in backing Murphy. Four Democrats in the Florida congressional delegation--U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch, Lois Frankel, Alcee Hastings and Frederica Wilson--are also behind Murphy. So is the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC).
Other candidates running for the Democratic nomination include U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., attorney and Navy veteran Pam Keith and life coach Latresa Jones.
During her gubernatorial bid, Rich tried to get Crist to debate her but he refused to do. She pulled 26 percent in the Democratic primary against the former governor who went on to lose against Gov. Rick Scott last November.
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