DNC leaders call Florida's U.S. Senate race critical for party in November

Democratic leaders spoke Tuesday to a room full of Florida delegates and discussed the importance of the U.S. Senate race, in which Sen. Marco Rubio’s seat could be up for grabs.

Rubio recently announced that he is running for re-election after a failed run at the Republican presidential nomination.

“Florida is very important nationally, of course, as it always is,” House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi told Action News Jax. “It’s not just the numbers that count. It’s the quality of leadership representing a diverse state that Florida will bring, and I’m very optimistic that Florida will vote for Hillary (Clinton).”

Rubio could be facing either Rep. Patrick Murphy or Rep. Alan Grayson, both Democrats, with Murphy the favored pick for the primary, according to recent polls.

“I think you will find that Florida will go for Hillary, and I think you will find that will have a down-ballot effect on the other races in November,” Sen. Bill Nelson said. “If there is a huge Democratic turnout for Hillary, then that will be a very successful omen for Patrick (Murphy).”

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Cox Media Group