Murphy initially intended to run for U.S. Senate against establishment conservative Republican [[Marco Rubio]] and would face Rep. [[Val Demings]] in the Democrat primary,<ref>Caputo, Marc (May 24, 2021). [https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/24/stephanie-murphy-marco-rubio-senate-490563 Florida Rep. Stephanie Murphy will not challenge Rubio for Senate]. ''Politico''. Retrieved December 2, 2021.</ref> though backtracked on May 24, 2021, the day prior to Duke's announcement for U.S. House.<ref name=dukeannouncesrun/> Duke commented on Murphy's backtracking: | Murphy initially intended to run for U.S. Senate against establishment conservative Republican [[Marco Rubio]] and would face Rep. [[Val Demings]] in the Democrat primary,<ref>Caputo, Marc (May 24, 2021). [https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/24/stephanie-murphy-marco-rubio-senate-490563 Florida Rep. Stephanie Murphy will not challenge Rubio for Senate]. ''Politico''. Retrieved December 2, 2021.</ref> though backtracked on May 24, 2021, the day prior to Duke's announcement for U.S. House.<ref name=dukeannouncesrun/> Duke commented on Murphy's backtracking: |