Sen. Chris Murphy wants Democrats to go big for Angie Nixon in Florida\u2019s Senate race \u2014 and he\u2019s pushing to raise some \u201cserious money\u201d to help.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do believe that we\u2019d make a big mistake if we slept on Florida,\u201d the Connecticut Democrat told Blue Light News on Friday. \u201cI know it feels like a longer shot, but I just think this year is looking exceptional.\u201d<\/p>\n

Murphy plans to hit the trail with Nixon as part of a campaign swing for Senate candidates over the next three weeks that will take him through North Carolina and Florida, as well as events with Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, Peggy Flanagan in Minnesota and Chris Pappas in New Hampshire. Murphy will serve as a surrogate for El-Sayed in the spin room at his next debate, and said he\u2019s \u201cjust a big believer\u201d in the Michigan Senate nominee.<\/p>\n

Murphy\u2019s bullishness about a blue wave comes as Senate Democrats are pushing the boundaries of a midterm battle map that is shifting further into red territory. The Chuck Schumer<\/a>-aligned Senate Majority PAC has dropped roughly $5 million apiece into Texas and Kansas over recent days, and the minority leader has included Kansas and Mississippi in his pitches to donors.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I were in charge, I would definitely put some resources in Florida,\u201d Murphy said. \u201cWhen you have an exciting candidate like this, it\u2019s a good long-term investment\u201d in growing Democrats\u2019 activist base.<\/p>\n

Still, Murphy stressed he\u2019s \u201cnot making any formal recommendations\u201d on where Schumer or top Democratic campaign groups should move their money.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve got so many mouths to feed,\u201d Murphy said. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m going to try to step up and do some work on my own.\u201d<\/p>\n

Murphy, who is considered a potential 2028 presidential contender, has spread roughly $2.5 million across candidates, campaign arms and other organizations this cycle. That includes transferring more than $500,000<\/a> to Democrats\u2019 three top campaign arms and 25 state parties.<\/p>\n

Prominent Democrats have been ramping up their attention on Florida. Sen. Bernie Sanders<\/a> (I-Vt.) has funneled $250,000 toward Nixon\u2019s campaign, along with other resources<\/a>. Sen. Ruben Gallego<\/a> (D-Ariz.) also told Blue Light News he hopes to campaign with Nixon.<\/p>\n

But Democrats across suddenly competitive red states are clamoring for more cash<\/a> and Florida is an expensive state, complicating the chances of a significant investment from national groups.<\/p>\n

Nixon also faces an uphill battle against GOP Sen. Ashley Moody<\/a> in the Sunshine State. A progressive state lawmaker, Nixon aligned herself with the Democratic Socialists of America over the summer in a state where many voters, especially those with ties to Cuba, reject such an ideology. Also, Republicans in Florida have a 1.5 million voter registration advantage over Democrats.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"