Staff Reports
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker is the latest high-profile Democrat to endorse Patrick Murphy in his bid for U.S. Senate in 2016.
Booker, a former mayor of Newark, called Murphy “fresh, new leadership” needed to address the nation’s challenges.
“Patrick will be a champion for working families, women, and our seniors in Florida and across the country,” Booker said in a prepared statement. “His long-term vision to help the middle class is exactly what we need right now.”
Booker is a “rising star in the Democratic Party,” Murphy responded.
“Since coming to the Senate in 2013,” he added, Booker “established himself as a fighter for New Jersey’s middle class and is a powerful voice for a new generation of leaders in Washington.
“I am honored to have his support, and am eager to work with him in the U.S. Senate.”
Wednesday’s endorsement is the latest example of growing Democratic establishment support for Murphy, who is seeking Marco Rubio’s Senate seat as he runs for the Republican presidential nomination. Murphy represents Florida’s 18th Congressional District, which covers the Treasure Coast region, St. Lucie and Martin Counties and part of Palm Beach County.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) endorsed Murphy last month, as did Florida U.S. Reps. Alcee Hastings, Ted Deutch, Lois Frankel and Frederica Wilson. Among the statewide leaders backing Murphy include former Gov. Charlie Crist, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, and 25 Democrats in the state legislature.
Murphy also announced a list of local supporters from the heavily Democratic Broward County: Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler, Broward County Mayor Tim Ryan, Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel, Broward County Property Appraiser Lori Parrish, and Broward County Commissioners Martin Kiar, Mark Bogen, Beam Furr, and Dale Holness.
