Patrick Murphy in 2016 FL Senate race

On Drugs: Let states decide marijuana legalization

Murphy: Voted for related bills like rights of states to choose, access to banking for marijuana businesses, access for veterans. Supports legislation that protects businesses and individuals in states where marijuana has been legalized, including permission for Veterans Affairs to recommend marijuana treatment to veterans in states that allow its therapeutic use.

Rubio: Opposes legalization. Backs federal override of state laws. Might consider low-THC strains for limited medical conditions. Rubio supports first requiring an FDA process and proven medical benefits; will continue to oppose legalization or decriminalization; supports enforcement of federal laws over state laws.

On Gun Control: Expand background checks; bar people on watch lists

Murphy: Yes. Expand background checks and bar people on watch lists.

Rubio: No. "Gun laws are not effective."

On War & Peace: Air strikes against ISIS but no ground troops

Murphy: No. Focus on air strikes, coalitions with allies, targeting ISIS cyber recruiting.

Rubio: Some increase is fine. Also increase air strikes and coalitions to support local forces.

Q: On Iran: Support the US-Iran treaty that limits Iran's nuclear capability in return for lifting economic sanctions?

Murphy: Yes

Rubio: No

On Education: Quality public education is best way to grow middle class

Patrick E. Murphy: High quality education for all American students is one of the best ways we can grow our middle class. We need to fully fund public education and remove barriers to access. I support universal pre-kindergarten, increasing teacher pay to retain top talent, and strengthening public schools with additional services including early childhood, youth development, and family engagement. I also support fully funding Head Start, Title I, and IDEA to improve equal access to high quality public education. At the college level, we need to address the enormous burden of student loan debt and ultimately, we need to work towards debt-free college. Finally, we need to invest in our community colleges and technical schools, so our next generation is fully equipped to compete global

On Environment: Vital to Florida's future that we protect our environment

Patrick E. Murphy: It is vital to Florida's future that we protect our environment. I have been a vocal advocate for the environment and for fighting climate change in the House, and this will be a top priority for me in the Senate. We should not allow offshore oil drilling along Florida's coast and I have fought against fracking in the Everglades and seismic testing in our waters. I was proud to be named Champion of the Everglades by the Florida Audubon Society, and will continue to fight to protect our environment.

On Gun Control: No civilian access to military-style assault weapons

Patrick E. Murphy: Along with most Floridians, I support background checks for online, gun show, and private gun purchases. I am strongly in favor of closing the terrorist gun loophole and preventing suspected terrorists from purchasing guns. I also do not believe that civilians need access to military-style assault weapons. After the tragic shooting in Orlando, Floridians are crying out for members of Congress to come together on these types of reasonable solutions to prevent this violence. This goes to the fundamental responsibility of elected officials to keep their constituents safe and this will be a top priority for me in the U.S. Senate.

On Health Care: We can improve ObamaCare, but it has hugely positive impact

Patrick Murphy: The Affordable Care Act was a huge step forward for our country and one of the crowning achievements of President Obama's time in office. I am proud to have his endorsement and I am proud to support the ACA. The ACA already provides healthcare to more than a million Floridians, makes prescription drugs more affordable for seniors, and prohibits insurance companies from charging women more just for being women. It also ensures Floridians with pre-existing conditions still receive the care they need. We can build on this progress by expanding Medicaid in Florida to cover 848,000 Floridians without health insurance. While there are of course improvements we can make to the ACA, the law has had a hugely positive impact on Florida and the country. We should work to build off its success and I will always oppose Republican attempts to tear it down.

On Gun Control: More background checks: close the terrorist gun loophole

"We need somebody who is actually going to show up to work, who acts in the best interest of their community, of their constituents, not some lobby," Murphy said. "Every vote Senator Rubio has taken has proven he is not that senator. I'm calling on Senator Rubio to embrace reason in order to keep us safe from gun violence."

Murphy says he supports legislation that would close the terrorist gun loophole, demand more thorough background checks on those wanting to purchase guns. He also supports banning the sale of assault weapons such as the one Omar Mateen used to gun down more 100 people at Pulse nightclub.

Rubio voted against a measure that would have prevented those on the terror watch list from buying weapons.

On Drugs: Protect people complying with state marijuana laws from feds

Murphy has co-sponsored standalone legislation protecting people complying with state marijuana laws from federal drug laws and allowing military veterans to get medical marijuana recommendations through the Department of Veterans Affairs. He also signed on to bills to allow marijuana businesses to bank and be treated more fairly under the tax code.

Grayson has co-sponsored legislation to exempt high-CBD/low-THC medical marijuana preparations from the Controlled Substances Act.

On Free Trade: Yes to Ex-im bank; No to fast-track

Ballotpedia.org analysis of Congressional voting record on trade issues:
• Voted NAY on Trade adjustment assistance (TAA): On 6/12/15, the House rejected the TAA measure in HR 1314 by a vote of 126 to 302. TAA is a federal program providing American workers displaced by foreign trade agreements with job training and services.
• Voted NAY on Trade promotion authority (TPA): On 6/12/15, the House narrowly passed the TPA measure in HR 1314 by a vote of 219 to 211. TPA would give the president fast-track authority to negotiate trade agreements sent to Congress without the opportunity for amendment or filibuster.
• Voted YEA on Export-Import Bank: On 10/27/15, the House passed HR 597, the Export-Import Bank Reform and Reauthorization Act, by a vote of 313-118. The bill allows the Export-Import Bank to resume offering assistance in the form of loans and insurance to foreign companies that want to buy U.S. goods.

On Homeland Security: Voted with GOP for DoD bill that Obama vetoed

On Principles & Values: OpEd: Angry black women should oppose party-choice Murphy

I, on the other hand, am an angry black woman. I'm angry that the Florida Democratic Party leaders see black people as nothing more than votes during election cycles. I'm angry that the party that is supposed to be about equality, isn't equal at all when it comes to our community. I'm angry that I'm supposed to vote for the Patrick Murphys of the party, when those same people will never vote for someone who looks like me.

In this day of police violence toward our community, you will never hear Patrick Murphy stand up for you. He will never speak out. Why? Because he'd rather ignore the African-American community than upset some racist white Democrats. Wake up, black people!

On Principles & Values: Former Republican; FL's most conservative House Democrat

Today, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee officially endorsed Murphy, despite the fact other candidates, including liberal-backed Alan Grayson, are said to still be mulling candidacies.

The DSCC is existing senate Democrats' main campaign and fundraising organization, with the goal of getting other Dems elected to the senate. The DSCC usually endorses incumbents straightaway but picks and chooses which open primaries it gets involved in.

However, the members of the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida oppose Murphy and remain frustrated with the establishment's refusal to consider other candidates--including Grayson.