Staff Reports
Former Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink – Florida’s most recently-serving statewide elected Democrat not named Bill Nelson – offered up her endorsement of U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy on Tuesday.
Florida needs a leader in the U.S. Senate who will combine fiscal responsibility with practical solutions,” said Sink in a statement. “As our next Senator, Patrick will work to strengthen Social Security and Medicare for seniors, empower the middle class, and protect the Everglades. Patrick will be a leader all Floridians can be proud of, and I am honored to give him my support.”
The move follows a string of endorsement by major Florida Dems, including Congressman Alcee Hastings, Congresswoman Lois Frankel, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and former Governor Charlie Crist.
The move comes as some left-wing activists are trying – without much evident success – to create a dramatic Democratic primary in the race to nab the coveted Senate seat likely being vacated by Sen. Marco Rubio. The Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida chaired by Tampa activist Susan Smith has called on U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson to instigate a vigorous challenge to Murphy from the left flank.
Grayson says he’ll “probably, yes” take Florida liberals up on that offer. But amid the deluge of support from fellow Democrats, hearty fundraising from Murphyworld and a great deal of personal and electoral baggage on the Orlando congressman’s part, that proposition figures to garner little traction.
Murphy raised more than three quarters of a million dollars in his first two weeks on the senatorial campaign trail and seems poised to keep it coming.
In an announcement from Friends of Patrick Murphy trumpeting the endorsement of Sink, the Palm Beach congressman likewise sang the former CFO’s praises and made note of their mutual bipartisan approach.
“As Florida’s CFO, Alex Sink put partisanship aside to manage our state’s finances and worked to ensure all Floridians could achieve the American dream,” said Murphy Tuesday morning. “I’m proud to have her endorsement, and pledge to be a senator who will work across the aisle to fight for economic opportunity for all Floridians.”
