Sunshine State Senate debate: Marco Rubio and Val Demings square off in Florida: recap

WASHINGTON – Florida GOP Sen. Marco Rubio and Democratic challenger Val Demings jousted Tuesday over abortion, gun control, immigration, and basic qualifications during the first - and only - debate of their hotly contested U.S. Senate race.

"The senator, who has never run anything at all but his mouth, would know nothing about helping people," said Demings, a three-term U.S. House member who is looking to move to the other side of the U.S. Capitol.

When Demings scoffed at Rubio's comment that she had backed a "socialist" budget, the incumbent senator said he didn't know which term his opponent would prefer: "Socialist ... Marxist ... crazy ... I'm open to suggestions."

During a tense exchange over Rubio's opposition to gun control, Demings said Florida voters must have wondered: "what in the hell did he just say?”

Rubio later mocked Demings over border security by saying "which boots does she want on the ground?" He said the congresswoman "has never passed a single piece of legislation" on her own.

PolitiFact: The only Florida Senate debate between Val Demings and Marco Rubio, fact-checked

Missed the debate?: Five takeaways from U.S. Senate debate between Sen. Marco Rubio, Rep. Val Demings

Analysis: Rubio, Demings trade barbs as they disagree on economy, abortion, guns — and post offices

The two candidates also clashed over abortion, just months after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Roe vs. Wade ruling.

Demings said Rubio wants to ban abortion bans with no exceptions whatsoever; Rubio said Demings supports abortions with no restrictions at all. Each accused the other of lying about their positions on these and other issues.

Rubio, seeking a third term in the Senate, leads in the polls, but Democrats are hopeful that Demings – who has significantly raised more campaign funds than the incumbent – has the wherewithal to pull an upset.

“Of course it’s hard, but it’s not impossible," Demings told CNN recently.

Every Senate race is crucial as the parties battle for control. The chamber is currently divided 50-50, with Democrats in charge because Vice President Kamala Harris has the power to break tie votes.

Demings’ closing remarks: ‘Only in America is my story possible’

In her closing remarks, Demings claimed that Rubio’s comments regarding her past record were “just not true.”

Demings said only in America is her story possible, recounting how she was the first in her family to go to college, worked her way up the ranks to serve as chief of police, served in the House and is now running for the Senate.

“I just happen to believe that every person, regardless of who they are, deserves the opportunity to succeed, deserves the opportunity to make it,” she said.

She said the senator will pick and choose winners and losers based on their ability to “pay to play.”

In her last rebuke against Rubio, she said he voted against legislation that would help reduce the cost of prescription drugs and cap the cost of insulin.

- Rachel Looker  

Demings: 'We have to hold China accountable'

During her rebuttal on what the United States’ policy on China should be, Demings said the “bottom line is that we have to hold China accountable.”

Demings said that the U.S. needs to make sure Chinese takeover of Taiwan doesn’t happen and, as a member of the House intelligence committee, she and fellow panel members are "studying" ways to make sure it doesn’t occur.

- Sarah Elbeshbishi

Rubio talks about the “danger involved in drop boxes”

Rubio questioned why drop boxes are now the standard of voting when they previously didn’t exist in past elections, touting the danger involved in using drop boxes.

“Imagine someone decision there’s a drop box, ‘I’m just going to put some explosives in it and blow it up and burn all of those ballots,’” Rubio said.

- Sarah Elbeshbishi

Demings invokes John Lewis on voting rights

On a question about election integrity and voting rights, Demings says she’s not the one on the stage that “supports suppressing the right to vote” before quoting former congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis.

Deming said that the country needs federal legislation to “keep everybody accountable.”

- Sarah Elbeshbishi

Rubio highlights ‘detailed plan’ on China

Rubio, who emphasized how he served as vice chairman of the intelligence committee and was the previous chairman, said he thinks holding China accountable is a talking point.

“It’s a great banner. I’m sure it’s a great bumper sticker, but it’s not a plan,” he said.

Rubio said he has a detailed plan on how to address relationships with China. To hold China accountable, he said the country needs to fix itself first, such as increasing production in America again.

“You think things are bad now, imagine the day you wake up and realize we can’t get medicine because the Chinese have cut us off,” he said.

- Rachel Looker  

Rubio touted his record in closing statements

“No U.S. Senator has gotten more done than I have,” Rubio said.

He cited examples of bills he has been a part of, including veteran treatment for exposure to burn pits and helping save small business jobs.

“I have a record of not just identifying the problems but fixing it,” Rubio said.

- Savannah Kuchar

Rubio responds on China relations

Rubio said he has been a part of every restrictive China policy thus far.

“So much so China has actually sanctioned and banned me,” Rubio said. “And I was very upset about that because I had to cancel my vacation in Wuhan.”

He said China-US relations will be a key issue going forward.

“We don’t need the Pentagon spending all its time producing videos on the proper use of pronouns,” Rubio said. “We need them focused on how to blow up aircraft carriers made by China.”

- Savannah Kuchar

Demings: ‘We need to hold China accountable’

When asked about U.S. policy with China, Demings said the United States needs to hold China accountable.

She said the United States is the most powerful nation in the world and China has not been the best actor.

“We have to take action,” she said, if there’s serious threats from China.

- Rachel Looker 

Rubio against Putin before it was “cool”

Rubio said that a United States response to Russia has to be a “unified” one, noting that he’s wary of Russian President Vladimir Putin and has been “before being against Vladimir Putin was cool.”

The senator said that the country needs to be wary of Putin’s actions as he’s on the losing the war in Ukraine and is concerned about losing his position.

- Sarah Elbeshbishi

Rubio: ‘It’s never been easier to vote’

Rubio wrote earlier this year in The Federalist that Democrats' push for voters’ right is about “exaggerated problems and imaginary fears.”

In Florida, Rubio said it has never been easier to cast a ballot. Sunshine State residents can now vote by mail for any reason and can vote 10 days before the election, he said.

Rubio said when people vote, theyu show an ID, adding that he never felt like producing an ID disadvantaged his right to vote.

- Rachel Looker 

Demings responds to Rubio claims of Florida's "wonderful" voting laws

Demings said Florida has an “election law police force.”

“If the laws are so wonderful what’s the need for that?” Demings said

She also criticized a statewide decrease in ballot drop boxes.

Demings said her opponent has a responsibility to encourage people to vote, even those that do not plan to vote for him, “although that scares the Senator to death,” she said.

- Savannah Kuchar

Rubio turns questions on Medicare to an attack on Demings

When asked if he supported fellow Florida GOP Sen. Rick Scott’s plan for federal legislation to have to vote on existing legislation every five years, including Medicare and Social Security, Rubio said he wouldn't before then taking the opportunity to turn her response into an attack on his opponent.

“If you want to talk about radical plans Congresswoman Demings supported a radical plan. I already mentioned earlier the people’s budget,” Rubio said.

- Sarah Elbeshbishi

Demings: US must 'do everything within our power’ to protect NATO allies

Demings said the United States has to do everything “within our power” to protect NATO allies.

If Poland is attacked, there has to be an immediate response, she said.  “I believe that that response will be sufficient and swift."

- Rachel Looker  

Rubio on "proportional response" to Russian attacks

Responding to questions of attacks by Russia on other ally countries, Rubio said the U.S. response needs to be “proportional,” adding that it should “depend on the nature and level of the attack.”

Rubio also said he would argue that “they’ve already attacked NATO.”

- Savannah Kuchar

Demings asked about nuclear 'Armageddon'

“We have to hold those who are not our friends accountable,” Demings said, adding that this includes Russia.

“We have to continue to support Ukraine and our NATO allies,” Demings said.

She said the country should use diplomacy to protect against nuclear war.

Demings said, “we cannot afford to have a nuclear attack,” adding that the U.S. government should do everything in its power to prevent that from happening.

- Savannah Kuchar

Candidates dispute processors at the border

In his rebuttal, Rubio said Demings has opposed the border wall and supported policies that banned border funding. He added that Demings is arguing for more processors simply to get people through the border faster, not for improved security.

Demings responded that even with more processors, if immigrants do not meet the standard for asylum seekers they will be sent back.

She added that we need to secure our border with more boots on the ground.

- Rachel Looker 

Demings on immigration: “We are a nation of laws”

Demings calls for more resources at the border, including more personnel, technology and processors, to secure the border but also to be able to determine individuals who are seeking asylum and those needing to be arrested.

“We’re a nation of laws. We have to enforce the law, but we also obey the laws that says that people who are in trouble can seek asylum in this country.”

- Sarah Elbeshbishi

Social security is priority for Demings

Demings said protecting Social Security is a priority for her as a public official.

“We have to think about what the promise of Social Security was,” she said. It should help older Americans retire “with dignity and respect."

- Savannah Kuchar

Candidates debate school safety clearinghouse

Rubio said the gun legislation Demoingsd supports would not have stopped any shootings, adding that every one of the shooters would have passed the background check Demings supports.

He referenced the Department of Homeland Security’s website and said there is a clearinghouse that tells schools what works for safety and what doesn’t. Rubio said the Biden administration is hoping to take it down because having a school safety clearinghouse is discriminatory against minority students.

“He thought he could get a pass for the mass shootings that we’ve had in our state and doing nothing significant to do anything about it,” Demings rebutted.

- Rachel Looker 

Rubio on immigration

Rubio said he supports a recent policy by President Biden denying asylum for Venezuelan immigrants, because it is the same as policy by President Trump.

“I sympathize deeply with what these people are facing,” Rubio said.

But he added that he does not believe the U.S. can support the number of immigrants.

“This cannot continue. It has to be fixed,” Rubio said. “No country in the world can tolerate that.”

- Savannah Kuchar

Rubio reverses on gun buys by 18-year-olds

Rubio said he would no longer support a statement he made in 2018 that a solution to gun violence is to prevent those as young as 18 from buying rifles.

He said denying the right to buy a rifle is not going to prevent mass shootings.

“The fundamental issue is why are these people going out and massacring people,” he said.

- Rachel Looker 

Rubio rebuts on property insurance

During his rebuttal on property insurance, Rubio said the Florida State Senate had a special session years ago where the Senate passed a reform bill.

Rubio turned to Demings, asking if she knew who the governor was at the time before supplementing that it was Charlie Crist, who Demings endorsed as the Democratic candidate for Florida governor against GOP incumbent Ron DeSantis, Rubio said.

-Sarah Elbeshbishi

Rubio defends records on guns

Rubio repeatedly defended his opposition to gun control by saying that Democratic proposals "would have done nothing" to stop the spate of mass shootings.

Demings said Rubio is letting down the victims of shootings, including the 2016 massacre at a nightclub in her hometown of Orlando.

– David Jackson

Demings said Rubio has done nothing about gun violence

After Rubio responded first to a question on gun violence, Demings said family members of victims are “asking themselves what in the hell did he just say?”

Demings said that in his time in office, Rubio has not addressed the issue.

“You’ve done nothing” to reduce gun violence, Demings told her opponent.

- Savannah Kuchar

Demings on democracy: “I took an oath”

Demings shared a story about how her parents always voted, emphasizing the need to do “everything within our power” to protect the Constitution, rule of law, democracy and right to vote.

“That’s what I did as a police officer and a police chief,” Demings said. “I took an oath that I would protect and serve, defend the Constitution not just for people who looked like me, or the richest of the rich. For all people.”

- Sarah Elbeshbishi

Demings tries to rattle Rubio over all the issues

Demings is just trying to rattle Rubio, in this case by saying he did nothing about the cost of flood and property insurance during his years in the state legislature.

Rubio, who was indeed knocked off course during 2016 presidential debates, hasn't taken the bait yet, and extols his legislative record on insurance.

– David Jackson

Rubio says he will support election outcome

When asked if he will support the outcome of the election, Rubio said he has never denied an election, adding that Florida has great elections laws.

When asked again if he will support the outcome, he responded: “Sure, because I’m going to win so I look forward to supporting that."

Rubio said elections need to have rules that are designed to make sure the system works. He added that rules are not suppressing anyone’s votes, but allow people to have confidence that their vote counted and matters.

“We have to have rules and we have to have laws and those laws have to be followed,” Rubio said.

- Rachel Looker

Rubio calls insurance reforms a state issue

When asked about homeowners insurance improvements, Rubio responded, “obviously this is a state issue.”

“You don’t want the federal government involved,” he added.

Rubio said he himself worries about property insurance. He also said he supports reauthorizing and reforming the flood insurance program.

“We are facing a looming crisis,” he said.

- Savannah Kuchar

Demings takes on abortion

Demings invoked her past role as Orlando police chief when taking Rubio on about supporting a federal abortion ban with no exceptions, saying that she doesn’t “think it’s OK for a 10-year-old girl to be raped and have to carry the seed of her rapist.”

Demings went on to say that she doesn’t think it’s acceptable for Rubio, as a Senator, to make decision on women’s bodies.

- Sarah Elbeshbishi

'When is that?'

More arguing about abortion.

Demings says she would support restrictions on abortion after "viability," but does not define the term.

"When is that?" Rubio said – though he won't say what exceptions to an abortion ban he might permit.

Each accuses the other of more lying. The moderators move on to another topic.

– David Jackson

Rubio says he backs abortion bills with exceptions

The moderator asked Rubio whether he would vote in favor of a federal abortion ban with no exceptions.

Rubio said he is interested in saving human lives, but added that the only law that can pass in the country is a law that has exceptions.

“That’s where the majority of the American people are and I respect and understand that,” he said.

- Rachel Looker 

Demings on abortion: 'We are not going back'

Demings repeated again that Rubio “has been clear that he supports no exceptions.” Demings said she meanwhile supports a woman’s right to choose.

“We are not going back,” Demings said, “to a time when women are treated like second class citizens or property.”

- Savannah Kuchar

Deming hits back at Rubio: 'I think there was a time where you did not lie'

After Rubio attacked her record in Congress, Demings said she was “disappointed” in Rubio, that “I think there was a time where you did not lie in order to win.”

She said she doesn’t know “what happened” to Rubio before correcting him on her record, noting that she passed legislation helping law enforcement with mental health programs during her first term in Congress.

She turned congressional records back on Rubio, highlighting that during his first term in Congress he voted to “basically abolish" Medicare.

- Sarah Elbeshbishi

Rubio, Demings argue abortion

Rubio handled the abortion question by saying Demings and the Democrats support abortion with no restrictions at all.

"That's how extreme she is," Rubio said.

Demings says Rubio is lying again, and he is trying to cover up that he would ban all abortions, without exceptions.

"How gullible do you think Florida voters are?" Demings said.

– David Jackson

Demings: Rubio is lying and cheating

“How gullible do you believe voters are?” Demings said, while the two candidates spoke over each other on stage.

During a contentious back-and-forth, Demings said Rubio has resorted to “lying and cheating” while in office.

- Savannah Kuchar

Rubio claims Demings never passed a federal law

Rubio claims there is not one federal law on the books that Demings has sponsored that passed.

“I think she named two post offices, I’ve done that, too,” he said.

Rubio referenced his own legislation that passed in 2017 that doubled the child tax credit as part of the sweeping Trump tax cuts. Rubio stood against many in his own party to get the legislation passed.

- Rachel Looker 

Insults between the candidates

The insults keep coming: Rubio says he and Republican Senators worked to pass COVID relief, while Democrats stayed "in their pajamas doing Zoom calls." He said Demings in particular has no bill with her name on it.

Demings responded by saying Rubio is "lying," and that he and Republicans were more interested in giving tax breaks to rich people than in helping most Americans.

Much interrupting between the candidates.

– David Jackson

Rubio blames rising inflation on Democrats

In response to how he would help families with rising inflation rates, Rubio said the government needs to stop spending money on pandemic relief like the American Rescue Plan.

To address inflation, he said there’s a need to produce more American oil. He added that the country cannot pass “crazy” policies that are coming from the left.

“We can’t do that kind of crazy stuff, it only adds to the inflation,” Rubio said.

- Rachel Looker  

Rubio is not helping well-being of Americans, Demings says

On the issue of inflation, Demings opened her response by saying Rubio has never run anything “but his mouth.”

Demings elaborated to say Rubio has not been helping people who are hurting in the state in the wake of the pandemic.

“You played politics senator,” she said.

- Savannah Kuchar

Rubio on what Florida needs after Hurricane Ian

Rubio reminded voters of his efforts in previous years in the aftermath of hurricanes in Florida, noting that he got former President Donald Trump to fully reimburse counties.

He highlighted that emergency relief and long-term recovery efforts are necessary in the aftermath of hurricanes.

- Sarah Elbeshbishi

First question: What is needed to help Florida after Hurricane Ian?

Demings says the federal government needs to protect Florida from the ferocity of future hurricanes by acting to reduce the effects of climate change.

"We've got to get serious about climate change," she said.

Rubio responds by not talking about climate change, but saying that the federal government should focus on rushing emergency funds to local governments.

– David Jackson

Florida Senate debate kicks off

The debate between Rubio and Demings has started.

Rubio looks towards a third term in the Senate as Demings seeks to flip it blue, hoping to give Democrats a leg up in the Senate.

- Sarah Elbeshbishi

Rubio leads Demings in latest polling

The two-term Florida Senator is leading his Democratic challenger by 6 percentage points, according to a Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy survey released earlier this month.

Rubio has maintained a consistent edge against Demings throughout the election season.

While Demings is seen as competitive as she looks to flip the Florida Senate seat blue, the former Orlando police chief is not likely to win, according to Jessica Taylor from the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, The Sunshine State as tilting to the right, she said.

"Demings will have money to compete and she's already at a better juncture than past statewide Democrats have been — and primary turnout this week was higher than expected for Democrats," Taylor said. "But that doesn't change that Florida has become only more Republican in recent years, with a slightly redder hue despite its perpetual swing state status."

- Sarah Elbeshbishi

Social media smackdown: Demings and Rubio warm up for debate

Demings and Rubio are previewing their debate strategies on Twitter, and it sounds like it may be a hard-hitting night.

"The only thing Marco Rubio knows how to run is his mouth," Demings tweeted of the two-term U.S. senator. "He is not qualified to represent Florida."

Team Marco, the campaign's Twitter account, indicated that their candidate will  cast congresswoman Demings as a liberal cipher of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.

"Val Demings’ blind loyalty to Nancy Pelosi is exactly why Chuck Schumer hand-picked her to run against Marco," said the Rubio feed.

– David Jackson

Who is Marco Rubio?

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is running for his third term in the Senate. He was first elected in 2010.

Rubio serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and formerly served as chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. He also serves on the Foreign Relations and Appropriations committees.

In 2016, the Republican senator launched a presidential bid but dropped out after losing in the Florida primary.

The incumbent, who lives in West Miami, has touted his working-class Cuban heritage and often references how his father worked as a bartender and his mother as a maid.

- Rachel Looker 

Who is Val Demings?

Democratic Rep. Val Demings has served in the U.S. House of Representatives for three terms in Florida’s 10th district.

The Democrat served as Orlando’s first female chief of police and has nearly three decades of experience in law enforcement.

Demings serves on the House Judiciary, Homeland Security and Intelligence Committees and was an impeachment manager in the 2020 impeachment trial of then-President Donald Trump.

She started working at 14 years old and was the first from her family to graduate from college.

- Rachel Looker 

Demings out raises, outspends Rubio

Demings raised more than her Republican challenger, raising $64.6 million to Rubio’s $44.1. The Democrat also outspent her opponent by nearly $25 million according to FEC filing data last reported Sept. 30.

Despite outraising and outspending the incumbent in TV ads, Rubio has slightly more cash on hand, $9.6 million compared to Deming’s $6.6 million.

- Sarah Elbeshbishi

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sunshine State Senate debate: Marco Rubio and Val Demings square off