Senator Rubio is giving up certain reelection to the Senate to run for president. On the Democratic side, two-term Rep. Patrick Murphy has already announced he’s running. Analysts say the young, centrist Democrat could be a good fit for statewide office in battleground Florida, though he needs to build name recognition outside his district. Controversial liberal Rep. Alan Grayson (D) is leaning toward running.
On the Republican side, tea party favorite Rep. Ron DeSantis has announced, and GOP-establishment-oriented Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera says he’s likely to get in. Other possibles include US Rep. Jeff Miller, state Sen. Don Gaetz, and former state Attorney General Bill McCollum.
Cook, Sabato, and Rothenberg-Gonzales all call the race a tossup.
