Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) may face tough competition in Florida’s 2022 Senate race as popular Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Florida) said she is “seriously considering” running against him.
Murphy announced a state-wide listening campaign where she and her team will gauge interest for a potential Senate run. The program called Cast Forward is “a series of virtual conversations with Florida Democrats and key stakeholders, including listening events and one-on-one discussions throughout the state to gather input and ideas on how to build for the future,” according to Murphy.
While Murphy’s focus is combating COVID-19 in her state, the representative will also gauge interest in social justice reform, efforts to slow climate change and “developing a new generation of Floridians.”
“I’ve been so moved over the last few months by the calls from constituents and Democrats throughout the state asking me to run for the U.S. Senate. And I’m seriously considering it, either in 2022 or 2024,” Murphy said in a statement Monday.
“But my Cast Forward project isn’t about a Senate run. A vibrant Democratic Party is not only good for Democratic candidates, it’s also good for all the hardworking families Republicans have abandoned. Even if I don’t run, I want to ensure we have a nominee and a party infrastructure that can help Democrats win statewide and put Florida families first.”
Knowing Rubio’s staying power as a popular GOP senator, Murphy said, “I know what it takes to defeat a powerful Republican incumbent, because I did it. I know what it takes to develop a fundraising and grassroots operation to win in a swing district, because I’ve done it three times. So, I have some ideas and experience to offer.”
