Isadora Rangel

isadora.rangel@tcpalm.com

Rubio hasn't agreed to two events because officials at hosting entities donated to Murphy

Murphy and Rubio will debate in Orlando and Davie

Democrat Patrick Murphy and Republican Marco Rubio have agreed to two U.S. Senate debates, but continue to debate on how many times they will face each other.

The candidates confirmed they will participate in debates in Orlando and Davie, but there are six events still on the table.

Murphy, who represents the Treasure Coast in the U.S. House, said Monday he has committed to two other appearances: a League of Women Voters of Florida and Telemundo debate in Tampa on a still-undetermined date, and a Forum Club of the Palm Beaches forum in West Palm Beach on Nov. 2.

Rubio's campaign said it hasn't accepted those two events because officials at the League of Women Voters and the Forum Club donated to Murphy. Those donations went to his 2012 and 2014 House campaigns and to his Senate campaign before Rubio decided to run for re-election in June. That didn't stop Rubio from speaking at the Forum Club in May.

“Why is Patrick Murphy so afraid of a real debate schedule? Half of the events he’s agreed to are from organizations led by his donors,” said Rubio’s senior adviser, Todd Harris. “These are great organizations, but they are hardly impartial.”

Rubio continues to challenge Murphy to four other debates for a total of six, as Rubio initially agreed to after the Aug. 30 primary. Those would be hosted by CBS Miami along with The Miami Herald, the Tampa Bay Times, Spanish-language network Univision and WESH Orlando.

Murphy's campaign didn't answer why he hasn't agreed to participate in the four debates, but a spokeswoman said "we worked with many organizations to find dates that worked with our calendar." She pointed out the debate hosted by the League of Women Voters and Telemundo would feature Spanish-language translation. Rubio, who is Cuban-American, speaks fluent Spanish. Murphy doesn't.

Murphy initially responded to Rubio's six-debate challenge by challenging Rubio to serve six years if elected. Rubio ran for president unsuccessfully this year and is often mentioned as a possible 2020 White House candidate.

"It's a disservice to voters that Sen. Rubio wants credit in the press for asking for many debates," spokeswoman Galia Slayen said, "but has rejected a debate moderated by respected journalists, and even rejected a candidate forum with a group he's spoken to three times before."

Confirmed debates

WFTV, Politico Florida, and Cox Media Group

When: 7 p.m. Oct. 17

Where: University of Central Florida in Orlando; broadcast by ABC affiliates throughout Florida



Leadership Florida and Florida Press Association

When: 7 p.m. Oct. 26

Where: Broward College in Davie; broadcast by WPBF 25



