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Murphy and Rubio Spar Over Debates

Florida Senate candidates disagree about which one they'll participate in

Rep. Patrick Murphy said he would agree to six debates if Sen. Marco Rubio would promise to serve his full six-year term and not run for president in 2020. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Rep. Patrick Murphy said he would agree to six debates if Sen. Marco Rubio would promise to serve his full six-year term and not run for president in 2020. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Before Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and his challenger, Democratic Rep. Patrick Murphy, can engage in their first debates, they have to agree about which ones they agreed to participate in.

So far, the two are only in agreement about two debates in October — one in Davie and another in Orlando. 

Rubio has said he is concerned about the fact that officials from two of the organizations sponsoring debates Murphy has agreed to, the League of Women Voters and the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, have donated to Democratic candidates. 

But Murphy’s campaign said Rubio has spoken to the Forum Club three times. 

Initially, Murphy said he would only agree to six debates if Rubio committed to serving a full six-year term and not run for president in 2020.

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