Florida: Questions Answered

Former Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Jupiter), who badly lost the 2016 US Senate race to incumbent Marco Rubio (R), had been considered as a possible candidate both for Governor or attempting to return to his former Atlantic Coast congressional seat.  On Friday, Mr. Murphy confirmed that he will run for neither position next year.  
 
Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum is the only current Democratic elected official in the open Governor’s race, and former one-term US Rep. Gwen Graham (D-Tallahassee) has joined him.  Businessman Chris King is also considered a serious Democratic contender.  In Mr. Murphy’s former House seat, freshman Rep. Brian Mast (R-Palm City) converted the swing district in impressive fashion last November and appears a strong bet for re-election.  And, with Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson actively seeking re-election, the 2018 political window was fast closing upon the former Congressman and statewide candidate giving him few viable options to launch a return to the political arena. 

--Jim Ellis