Marco Rubio-Patrick Murphy faceoff in Florida could determine control of Senate

WASHINGTON — Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Patrick Murphy will face each other in Florida's general-election Senate race, voters decided Tuesday.

Rubio cruised to victory with nearly 72% of the vote in his bid for the Republican nomination to seek a second term, and Murphy won nearly 60% in the Democratic nomination race to face Rubio on Nov. 8.

The Rubio-Murphy matchup could decide which party controls the Senate next year.

Even before polls opened Tuesday morning, more than 1.7 million Floridians had filled out a ballot either by mail or at an early-voting site.

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Rubio, who broke a pledge not to run for re-election after losing his presidential bid, won against real estate developer Carlos Beruff, a surrogate for presidential candidate Donald Trump, in the GOP primary. Murphy, one of the most moderate Democrats in the House, defeated Rep. Alan Grayson, a liberal firebrand, in the Democratic contest.

The resounding victory was a redemption of sorts for Rubio, who was trounced by Trump in Florida's GOP presidential primary in March.

Rubio called Trump a “con man” who couldn’t be trusted. Trump disparaged his rival as “little Marco” and a “dishonest lightweight.”

Rubio has since decided to back Trump while still emphasizing the many policy differences they have. Trump has also gotten behind Rubio’s decision to break a pledge and run for re-election.

Murphy's meteoric rise through Florida's Democratic ranks was slowed recently over allegations that he exaggerated his resume. Rubio's allies also have worked to tie Murphy to Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, who has low favorability ratings among voters in Florida and elsewhere.

Polls show Rubio with an early but narrow advantage over Murphy. But the presidential race between Trump and Clinton figures to cast a large shadow over the Senate race.

Tuesday also was primary day for candidates in Florida’s 27 House districts.

Democrats facing primary challengers include Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who stepped down as chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee in July after leaked emails showed DNC officials had discussed undermining Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential primary campaign against Clinton.

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That scandal — and support from Sanders — boosted law professor Tim Canova's long-shot bid against Wasserman Schultz in the primary, but the six-term congresswoman won handily Tuesday, 57%-43%.

Also in the hot seat was Democratic Rep. Corrine Brown, who was indicted in July for corruption related to a questionable charity and is running in a newly redrawn district. Brown, who adamantly maintains her innocence, lost her nomination fight to former state Senate minority leader Al Lawson, who won 48% in a three-way race.

As much as one-third of Florida’s congressional delegation could turn over this year due to retirements, redistricting and resignations.