Senate Dems: Rubio ‘cravenly’ capitalizing on Orlando shooting

The Senate Democratic campaign arm lashed out at Sen. Marco Rubio for planning to jump into the Florida Senate race, accusing him of “cravenly” seeking to capitalize on the terrorist attack in Orlando earlier this month.

{mosads}Rubio is preparing a late entrance into the crowded Florida Senate race after previously saying he would retire from the Senate if he failed to win the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.

Rubio has told his friend, Florida Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, who is seeking to replace him in the Senate, that he feels compelled to continue his public service in light of the June 12 shooting, which was the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history and the deadliest terror attack since 9/11.

Sadie Weiner, the communications director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, admonished Rubio for using the shooting in Orlando to his political advantage. 

“He is cravenly using the deadliest mass shooting in American history as the springboard to go back on his word and further his political career,” Weiner said in a statement.

She also ripped Rubio for having “the worst voting record of any Florida Senator in nearly 50 years” and noted that Florida voters had resoundingly chosen Donald Trump over their home state senator during the GOP presidential primary.

A Quinnipiac University survey released Wednesday found Rubio leading both of his potential Democratic rivals. 

Rubio has 47 percent support, compared to 40 percent for Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Fla.). In a match-up between Rubio and Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.), Rubio leads 48 to 40 percent.

He has until Friday to file paperwork to run.