May 24, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Rep. Stephanie Murphy drops challenge against Marco Rubio for Senate

Orion Rummler

Stephanie Murphy gestures with an envelope — Rep. Stephanie Murphy with Rep. David Cicilline on April 28. Photo: Michael Reynolds/EPA/Bloomberg

Democratic Rep. Stephanie Murphy said Monday she is dropping her previously planned bid to unseat Republican Sen. Marco Rubio next year, Politico reports.

Driving the news: The decision comes after Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.) — who was on Biden's shortlist for vice president — announced last week she plans to run for Rubio's seat, rather than pursue a run for governor.

What she's saying: “The reality is that Marco Rubio will not be an easy opponent especially if it’s on the heels of a bruising primary where Democrats spend millions attacking each other instead of using those millions to build the infrastructure we desperately need to win,” Murphy said in a written statement, per Politico.

Murphy plans to seek re-election to the House next year.

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Rep. Stephanie Murphy drops challenge against Marco Rubio for Senate

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