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Democrat Val Demings and incumbent Republican Marco Rubio debated crime, inflation, hurricane damage, the economy and abortion in their only debate ahead of the Nov. 8 election, where the two are vying for a seat in the U.S. Senate.
Mr. Rubio, who is seeking a third term, came to the debate stage at Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth with consistent lead in the polls over Ms. Demings, who represents the 10th District in Congress and who has been unable to get ahead of her GOP opponent despite raising far more money.
But the race is considered competitive and the clash between the two on key issues was heated.
Mr. Rubio denounced “crazy policies that are coming from the left,” and said Ms. Demings has never passed a substantial bill outside of renaming post offices.
Ms. Demings accused her rival of “lying, cheating and trying to steal,” and she defended her legislation naming post offices after heroic figures.
The two clashed over abortion with Mr. Rubio saying that he is “100 percent pro-life” but has always backed exceptions to abortion restrictions. He said Ms. Demings backs taxpayer-funded abortion “on demand for any reason at any time, up until the moment of birth.”
Ms. Demings again accused Mr. Rubio of lying and said he is the extremist on abortion.
“Senator, you know you have said you don’t support any exception,” Ms. Demings said. Mr. Rubio responded, “What limits on abortion do you support?”
Ms. Demings said, “I support a woman’s right to choose up until the time of viability.”
Mr. Rubio called that “the vague line they all give.”
Abortion is considered an important issue in Florida, particularly among Democratic and independent voters, and Ms.
