Mitch Perry
Florida Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Patrick Murphy seems determined to get virtually every Democratic mayor in the state to back his candidacy for 2016.
Those on a new list of endorsements are Palm Bay Mayor William Capote, Tamarac Mayor Harry Dressler, Bonita Springs Mayor Ben Nelson Jr., Palm Beach County Mayor Shelley Vana, and Lauderhill Mayor Richard Kaplan.
“I am humbled and honored to have the support of these mayors from across the state,” said Murphy in a prepared statement. “From the Space Coast to Southwest Florida, our campaign is gaining momentum every day, and I look forward to working with these true community leaders to strengthen Florida’s middle class and fight for our state in the U.S. Senate.”
One reason why there aren’t many well-known Democrats in the new list is because so many high-profile Democratic mayors in the state already have endorsed Murphy’s candidacy. Bob Buckhorn from Tampa, Rick Kriseman from St. Petersburg, Andrew Gillum from Tallahassee and Jack Seiler from Fort Lauderdale all have previously bestowed their blessings to the Jupiter-based congressman.
Charlie Crist and Alex Sink also have endorsed Murphy, who is running against Orlando U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson and lawyer Pam Keith for the Senate Democratic nomination.
Grayson entered the race 12 days ago, and is expected to engage in an intense battle against the 32-year-old Murphy, who became an immediate Democrat with a future after he defeated Tea Party favorite Allen West in his GOP-leaning South Florida district in 2012.
