DNC chair won’t run for Florida Senate

Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) won’t run for the Senate in Florida in 2016.

The Florida congresswoman announced Tuesday on CNN that she intends to fulfill her term as head of the DNC, which expires in 2017, and would seek the support of her constituents in reelecting her to the House.

{mosads}Wasserman Schultz’s announcement comes a day after former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (D) announced he would sit out the Senate race in 2016.

The announcements winnow the potential Democratic field down to two — Reps. Patrick Murphy (D-Fla.) and Alan Grayson (D-Fla.).

The Democratic establishment in the state is lining up behind Murphy, a two-term congressman and rising political star in the state. Murphy is expected to announce a run for Senate soon.

However, Grayson, a liberal firebrand with considerable fundraising prowess and national name recognition, could be a formidable challenger to Murphy from left, if he decides to run.

Democrats believe they’ll be able to compete for the Senate seat in the perennial swing state in 2016, especially if Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) runs for president instead of for reelection to the upper chamber.



Rubio is gearing up for a presidential run and has said he won’t run for president and the Senate simultaneously.