The money chase is on in the Democratic primary to replace U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., in 2016. Currently running for the Republican presidential nomination, Rubio has said he will not seek a second term in the Senate next year.
On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., announced that he had raised more than $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2015 and had almost $3.5 million in the bank at the end of September.
“I am humbled by this incredible support from Floridians across the state, from the Keys to Orlando to Pensacola,” said Murphy said on Thursday. “It’s clear that Floridians are ready to elect a leader who will listen to them, work to strengthen Social Security and Medicare, and fight relentlessly to grow Florida’s middle class.”
“This kind of support is essential to waging an effective campaign that reaches every single Florida voter,” said Josh Wolf, Murphy’s campaign manager, on Thursday. “I’m more confident than ever that our campaign will have the resources to win this race -- both the primary and the general election.”
U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., Murphy’s main primary rival, also announced his third quarter financials on Thursday.
While Grayson brought in almost $743,100 and had less than $252,500 on hand, his team crowed that almost 11,000 supporters chipped in for 18,200 donations. The Grayson team also noted it had almost $908,000 pledged in recurring contributions after the third quarter.
"It's clear that Alan Grayson has the support he needs to take on the deep pockets of Wall Street and the Democratic Party establishment," said Doug Dodson, Grayson’s campaign manager. "Alan's grassroots supporters are the heart and soul of the Democratic Party and they are truly the power behind this campaign."
Attorney and veteran Pam Keith is also running for the Democratic nomination. Sunshine State News reached out to Keith’s campaign on Thursday and left a message but it was not returned.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
