Marco Rubio Skips Debate With Val Demings, Allegedly Attends Three-Day Fundraiser in South Beach Instead

The senator planned to be at the three-day fundraiser in South Beach, according to the event’s invitation. The next debate will be on Oct. 18.

Rep. Val Demings and Sen. Marco Rubio could have faced off on Tuesday to discuss the issues Floridians care about most in what would have been their first televised debate for the upcoming midterm elections.

Instead, Rubio was reportedly attending a three-day fundraiser at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, according to Florida Politics.

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The debate would have been hosted by WFTV, WJAX, and Bethune-Cookman.

Demings announced on Sept. 14 that she accepted the invitation. Rubio, who is the Republican incumbent, never did.

An invitation from a Super Pac that Rubio founded said, “Please join Senator Marco Rubio for some fun & sun in South Beach.” The event charged $2,500 for PACs and $1,500 for individuals.

Devon Cruz, a spokesperson for the Demings campaign, told Florida Politics they expected the debate to occur. But Rubio spokesperson Elizabeth Gregory told the media outlet, “No, they cancelled it,” via email leaving unclear as to whom “they” were.

When the media outlet asked if the cancellation applied to the debate or the fundraiser, Gregory replied, “The debate,” but she did not make clear which organizers were responsible for canceling the debate, provided no reason for the cancellation, and would not say when the campaign learned of the decision, according to Florida Politics. 

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Demings and Rubio will face each other on Oct. 18 at Palm Beach State College, for the Before You Vote Florida debate that will be televised by WESH 2.

The contest between Rubio and Demings has attracted national attention because it could determine control of Congress’ upper chamber.