Five Democrats are trying to win the party's nomination in the Aug. 30 primary:
Rocky de la Fuente | Alan Grayson | Pam Keith | Reginald Luster | Patrick Murphy
Recommended Videos
The winner of the Democratic primary will face the top Republican, two Libertarians and four candidates not affiliated with any party in the November general election.
"Rocky" Roque De La Fuente
Age: 61
Candidate's family: Five wonderful children: Roque III (RD3), Katayoun (Katita), Ricardo (Ricky), Kassandra (Kassy) and Kamila (Kami)
Hometown: Orlando
Occupation: Real Estate Entrepreneur
Education: Bachelor of Science in Physics and Mathematics from Instituto Patria (Magna Cum Laude)
Political experience: 2016 - Democratic candidate for President of the United States (in 40 States, 6 territories and the District of Columbia -amassing more votes than current Governors Walker & Jindal, former Governors Chafee, Perry, Pataki & Gilmore, current Senator Graham and former Senators Webb & Santorum combined and more votes than Carly Fiorina, former Governor Mike Huckabee, current Governor Chris Christie and current Senator Rand Paul individually; 1992 - First Hispanic American to serve as a Delegate At-Large (i.e., Superdelegate) for the State of California at a Democratic National Convention
What do you see as the top three issues in this race?
I believe the three top issues we need to address in Florida parallel those of our Nation: Jobs, Security and the Environment. We need jobs that pay a fair wage and provide the benefits that families need. We need to be able to live our lives with a strong sense of safety and security. And we need to harness and leverage our State's unique renewable resources and protect and preserve our environment and magnificent coastline.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I am not a traditional politician. I bring a unique breadth and depth of private sector experience that allows me to look at problems from a real world perspective rather than just a political one. I've created thousands of jobs across America as well as in other countries. I know how important it is for people to have opportunities that pay fair wages and provide important benefits like health care coverage. I don't have to pretend to understand minority issues because I am a minority. I also have the sensitivity and experience to solve problems, not in a political way, but in a practical one. Those are qualities that voters not only need but deserve.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I would like to be remembered as the Senator from Florida who dramatically improved his State's economy and education system; the Senator who helped his State create jobs by fostering a partnership between the private sector and our universities to pursue renewable energy solutions that leverage Florida's abundant wind and solar resources and help preserve our coastal waters and the environment; and I'd like to be remembered as the Senator from Florida who brought people together to help them achieve their highest potential.
Campaign website: Rocky2016.com
Facebook and/or Twitter pages: Facebook.com/voterocky2016 | @VoteRocky2016
Alan Grayson
This candidate has not returned the News4Jax candidate survey.
Candidate information provided by Associated Press:
Age: 58
Religion: Jewish
Education: BS, Harvard University; MA, Harvard University; JD, Harvard University; PhD, Harvard University
Career: U.S. House District 9, 2013-present; U.S. House, District 8, 2009-2011
Campaign website: SenatorwithGuts.com
Pam Keith
This candidate has not returned the News4Jax candidate survey.
Campaign profile provided by the Associated Press:
Age: 46
Birthplace: Turkey
Education: BS, University of California, 1990; MA, University of California, 1992' JD, Boston College Law School, 1995
Career: Judge Advocate, United States Navy, 1995-1999; Associate with Morgan Lewis, 2000-2002' Counsel to Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, 2007-2011; Senior Labor and Employment Counsel for Florida Power & Light Co./NextEra Energy, 2011-2014
Campaign website: PamKeithForSenate2016.com
Reginald Luster
This candidate has not returned the News4Jax candidate survey.
Candidate information from the Associated Press:
Age: 52
Family: Married, 5 children
Education: BA, History, Florida State University, 1985; JD, Oxford University, 1987
Career: Partner, Jacksonville insurance defense law firm of Mathews, Osborne, McNatt, Gobelman & Cobb, 1988; Assistant United States Attorney, United States Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division, 1994; Civil Rights Division, Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, Department of Justice, 2000; Private practice, 2001
Campaign website: ReginaldLuster.com
Patrick Murphy
Age: 33
Candidate's family:
Hometown: Palm Beach Gardens
Religion: Catholic
Occupation: Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 18th district
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Miami with a double major in Accounting and Finance
Political experience: Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 18th district (2013 – Present)
What do you see as the top three issues in this race?
In the U.S. Senate, I will stand with Florida's middle class families to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, make sure women earn equal pay for equal work, and have paid family medical leave. Small businesses are the foundation of Florida's economy and I will work to cut bureaucratic red tape to enable them to thrive. I will also work to create jobs by investing in infrastructure, manufacturing, and new industries like clean energy.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
Florida deserves a Senator who will show up to work, lead on the issues that matter, and will always put Floridians above their own political ambitions. I believe that my record and my values demonstrate that I will be a Senator who puts Florida first.
During my two terms in the House, I have been able to get things done by working with anyone if it's right for Florida. I secured nearly $2 billion in funding for the Everglades, passed a bill to lower the cost of flood insurance, and led an effort to stop cuts to Medicare Advantage. I will continue making the best interests of Floridians my top priority in the U.S. Senate. In the U.S. Senate, I will always fight for our shared progressive values, like defending a women's right to choose, advocating for criminal justice reform, and fighting to protect our environment.
This election is critical for Florida families. The Supreme Court hangs in the balance, the gap between the rich and the poor continues to grow, and we must protect Social Security and Medicare for our seniors. Floridians deserve a leader in the Senate and if elected, I will show up and fight for Florida every day.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Strengthening Florida's middle class families will always be my top priority. That means fighting for our workers. The minimum wage has not increased with inflation and it is time we change that. I support a $15 minimum wage to ensure that Floridians working full time can support themselves. Florida women also deserve to earn equal pay for equal work. This is the 21st century and it is deeply disappointing that women still make less than men.
To strengthen the middle class, we must invest in education. Access to high quality education is one of the best ways to give all Floridians access to the middle class and to prepare our state for the industries of the future. We need to make pre-k universal, to increase teacher pay to retain top talent, and to reduce student loan debt and work towards debt-free college.
We must also create new jobs. Florida needs to adapt and grow its economy by becoming a center for green energy innovation. We need to invest in infrastructure shore up our bridges and roads and provide the foundation for the high-tech economy of the future. Finally, we need to protect the industries that have always been vital to Florida's economy. In the U.S. Senate, I will promote small business, protect our environment to keep our beaches and water beautiful for our tourism industry, stand with Florida's farmers, and fight for fair trade.
Florida's middle class needs a fighter in the U.S. Senate. These issues are too important for the voices of Floridians not to to be heard. If elected, I will show up and stand up every day and work hard for Florida families.
Campaign Website: MurphyForFlorida.com
Facebook and/or Twitter pages: Facebook.com/PatrickMurphyforSenate | @PatrickMurphyFL