Patrick Murphy scraps bipartisan run for Florida governor, endorses Democrat Gwen Graham

Ali Schmitz | Treasure Coast Newspapers

Show Caption Hide Caption U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy answers questions from TCPalm's Eve Samples U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy answers questions related to the Treasure Coast from TCPalm's Eve Samples during an interview Oct. 21, 2016, with representatives of Florida's six USA TODAY NETWORK editorial boards.

Patrick Murphy endorsed Gwen Graham for Florida governor Thursday, ending speculation he'd run on a bipartisan ticket with former Republican U.S. Rep. David Jolly.

Murphy told TCPalm he hasn't decided whether he'd accept a position as Graham's running mate, if she offered him a shot at lieutenant governor.

More: Will Patrick Murphy, David Jolly run for Florida governor on bipartisan ticket?

Murphy said he decided Wednesday night not to run for governor, citing worries over mounting such a late campaign in an already crowded primary.

"I was always, I guess, on hesitant footing to do this, and it was always going to take quite a bit to get me over that hump to do it," Murphy said Thursday, after a Graham campaign event in Broward County where he announced his endorsement.

More: Patrick Murphy mum on whether poll means he'll run for Florida governor

Murphy said he was confident in internal polling results that showed he would lead the Aug. 28 Democratic primary if he ran with Jolly, and trusted consultants who offered to help him if he decided to run. But it wasn't enough to convince him to run.

Gwen Graham

Murphy said he was confident Graham, with whom he served in Congress, would make "a really good governor," pointing to her time in the House and Leon County schools.

He also cited her win over a Republican incumbent when she ran for Congress in 2014.

"I think she's done a great job by being able to get great results by reaching across the aisle in Congress," Murphy said. "I think she's the one who will be able to get things across the finish line, which is what matters the most."

The other Democrats running for governor include Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, Orlando-area entrepreneur Chris King and Palm Beach real estate-mogul Jeff Greene.

Graham said she was honored to have the support of her "close friend."

"In Congress, we worked together to ban oil drilling off Florida’s beaches and to restore the Everglades,” Graham said in a statement. “I was proud to support him in his campaign against Marco Rubio and, as governor, I will work with Patrick to restore our promise to public schools, protect our environment and build an economy that works for every Floridian.”