ORLANDO, Fla. – For the first and only time, Republican Sen. Marco Rubio is set to square off against U.S. congresswoman Val Demings for the U.S. Senate seat.
Demings is hoping to unseat Rubio as he tries for a third term.
The debate is set for 7 p.m. in West Palm Beach on Tuesday, Oct. 18.
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“I think you’re going to see Marco Rubio going after not Val Demings, but Joe Biden. He’s going to concentrate on gasoline prices, inflation, and the immigration,” said UCF History Professor and News 6 political expert Dr. Jim Clark. “I think she’s [Demings] going to talk about abortion. A lot about her experience as a police chief.”
News 6 asked whether Rubio has any upper edge being the incumbent.
Clark said, “Yes, he had a tremendous edge. He’s been there now in the senate for 12 years. He’s been able to raise a lot of money. Remember, he ran for President six years ago, so he has a very high profile.”
It’s why Clark believes the debate tonight is more crucial for Demings.
“Even though she’s been running lots of ads, so this is her one chance to introduce herself to the voters of Florida,” said Dr. Clark.
An introduction that could provide a boost on Election Day.
An average of polls conducted over the past several weeks shows Rubio with about a five-point edge over Demings.
Despite that, Clark believes independent voters will likely decide who comes out on top.
“Republicans actually outnumber Democrats, but it’s a thin margin, so the Independents who make up about a third of the voters in Florida are going to pick the next U.S. senator,” said Dr. Clark.
Dr. Clark said Val Demings will likely have to carry the whole democratic ticket based on what he calls an unpopular democratic ticket this election year based on polls he said show democrats in bad shape because of the governor candidate, lieutenant governor candidate, the agriculture candidate, and the attorney general candidate.
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