Florida Dem raises $1.4 million for Senate bid

Rep. Patrick Murphy raised about $1.4 million for his Florida Senate bid during the last fundraising quarter, ahead of what could be a contentious Democratic primary and general election battle.

Murphy (D-Fla.) will end the second quarter with more than $2.5 million in cash on hand, according to the Miami Herald.

{mosads}“I am so honored for the support I’ve received in this campaign,” Murphy said in a statement to the Herald.

“Floridians understand how important this election is, and their early support is critical in helping get our message out. I look forward to continuing to share my vision for strengthening Florida’s middle class with people across the state.”

The Florida seat is up for grabs because Sen. Marco Rubio (R) is running for president. With Democrats needing a net gain of at least four seats to win back the Senate majority, Florida is among several swing states where they see pickup opportunities in 2016.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has already endorsed Murphy, and a number of other big-name Democratic senators have reportedly donated to his campaign. Sens. Dick Durbin (Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Cory Booker (N.J.), Barbara Boxer (Calif.), Ron Wyden (Ore.) and Tom Carper (Del.) are among the 17 Democratic senators who have donated to Murphy.

That backing comes despite the likelihood that fellow Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson, who has drawn the ire of establishment Democrats in the past, will jump into the primary race as well.

Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) is the major candidate on the Republican side, but he could face Lt. Gov. Carlos López-Cantera or a number of other potential candidates in the GOP primary.