Scott Powers
The campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson on Wednesday accused Democratic U.S. Senate primary opponent U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy of eluding debates and events where the two would meet.
The claim comes after a planned U.S. Senate debate set for two cable TV news stations in August was canceled, and just before another event that had issued invitations to both of them, in Citrus County, awaits RSVPs from the candidates.
“This is the most important Senate race in the country and Patrick Murphy has yet to face the public next to his opponents and explain why he exaggerated his past and advocated ‘across the board’ cuts to Social Security and Medicare,” Grayson’s campaign manager Mike Ceraso said in a press release issued by the Grayson campaign. “At some point, Patrick needs to face the tough questions any senator must face.”
Grayson, of Orlando, is set to face Murphy, of Jupiter, and Miami lawyer Pam Keith in the Aug. 30 Democratic primary. The winner would face the Republican winner, either incumbent U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio or his remaining challenger, Bradenton businessman Carlos Beruff.
Murphy’s campaign manager Joshua Karp returned the backhanded accusations while assuring debates were also priorities for Murphy.
“Patrick is looking forward to debating, because Floridians deserve to hear the candidates’ values and vision for Florida. There is no question, hedge fund manager Alan Grayson has a lot to answer for when he debates Patrick Murphy, a champion for the middle class and a fighter for Florida families,” he said in a statement.
According to Ceraso, Murphy already had missed two other debate opportunities: one with the Tampa Tiger Bay Club and one hosted by the Open Debate Coalition, which wound up featuring Grayson and U.S. Rep. David Jolly, the Seminole Republican who withdrew from the race last month.
Ceraso said there are multiple TV and radio debate offers to the candidates, including the upcoming West Citrus County Democratic Club forum.
