Not only is the presidential race a pivotal moment in American history, but the senate election here is just as important. With Democrats poised to regain several seats in the house, Republicans are on the defensive to keep the senate under their control. Millions of dollars are being poured in the current campaign; the race is in full swing, and the candidates are making themselves known.
On the Republican side, the race to become the nominee was originally contested by Rep. David Jolly, Rep. Ron DeSantis, Lieutenant Governor Carlos Lopez Cantera and businessman Carlos Beruff, founder of Medallion Homes, a homebuilding company. After incumbent Sen. Marco Rubio’s surprise re–entry into the primary (after months of denying he’d run for reelection), all but Beruff have dropped out. Mr. Beruff does not seem like one to easily give up. His bullish style and populist rhetoric is very similar to Donald Trump’s. Beruff also supports Trump in his bid for the White House, Trump’s infamous Muslim travel ban proposal and has called President Obama an “animal.”
Beruff drives sharp contrasts with Sen. Marco Rubio, who fought Trump hard in his grueling presidential campaign, which ended in lackluster results. Rubio was elected as a firebrand conservative, but moderated quickly, becoming a member of the “Gang of Eight” that supported comprehensive immigration reform. After backlash, Rubio shifted to a middle ground during his campaign, which did not endear him to many moderate voters.
Rubio was widely criticized for his lack of attendance in the Senate, however in recent months he has fought for more federal aid against the Zika virus, which is threatening many in Florida. Rubio has decided to re-enter the race just before the filing deadline for the primary ballot, his large donor base and wide support among conservative Hispanics lends credence to his chances at a nomination.
The Democrats have a very different nominating contest: two Representatives, Alan Grayson of Orlando and Patrick Murphy of Jupiter. Both candidates offer widely different options. Patrick Murphy is the son of wealthy businessman, Tom Murphy, who manages Coastal Construction and has represented the 18th district since 2013. He aligns with the moderate wing of the Democrats and has gained support from many prominent leaders such as President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. However, many have accused Murphy of being too moderate, and supporting the committee investigating the Benghazi attack in 2012, which was criticized for Republican bias. He has a very large donor base behind him as well as a large amount of money.
Democratic Representative Alan Grayson, who has represented the Orlando area since 2009, is a very outspoken voice for progressive issues. He is noted for his opposition to foreign wars and support for universal health care. He was also one of the few congresspeople to endorse Bernie Sanders in his presidential campaign. However, Grayson has been criticized for his offshore bank accounts in the Caribbean, claims that he abused his now ex-wife and his brash style, often earning the ire of his colleagues. He lags behind in fundraising, and has trouble reaching out to many demographics in South Fla. outside his core of progressive activists. Despite their flaws Grayson and Murphy have not had much of an opposition to them besides the relatively weak challenge of former Naval Judge Advocate Pam Keith of Miami, who despite registering between 10 and 11 percent in recent polls has been largely ignored by the media and donors.
Regardless of who wins, there are many qualified candidates running this election, many starkly opposed to one another. The main Libertarian Party candidate for the senate is an adherent to Roman Paganism, but has been criticized for killing and drinking a goat’s blood. This is crazy Fla. after all.
