Poll numbers close as Marco Rubio, Patrick Murphy prepare for final debate

DAVIE, Fla. — Sen. Marco Rubio and his Democratic challenger, U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, will hold their second and final debate Wednesday night, 13 days before the election Wednesday night.

New numbers show that Rubio is leading his challenger by only a few percentage points above his competitor.

A Florida Atlantic University poll shows Rubio with 46 percent, while Murphy is only four points behind at 42 percent.

There remains a large group of undecided voters, about 10 percent.

“It will be interesting to see if they can come up with a zinger or one-liner that sticks with the voters,” said Dr. Kevin Walsh, a political science professor at Broward College, where the debate is being held.

He said that with Rubio leading in the lead with the polls, the pressure is on Murphy to change the race.

“It remains to be seen if Patrick Murphy can paint Marco Rubio as someone who is not here to stay,” said Walsh.

In the last debate, Murphy pressed Rubio on his commitment to serve a full six years.

Rubio responded by saying he would, “God willing.”

Rubio also pressed Murphy on his resume, asking what he’s done in Congress.

Both parties are desperate win the seat, Republicans to hold their majority in the Senate and Democrats to regain the Senate advantage that they lost in the 2014 election.

Cox Media Group