A Pro-Life Catholic Challenges Crist in Florida Senate Race

Marco Rubio , a pro-life Catholic, has pulled even with his GOP rival, Gov. Charlie Crist, in the Florida Senate Race.

WASHINGTON, DC (Inside Catholic) - Rasmussen is reporting that challenger Marco Rubio , a pro-life Catholic, has pulled even with his GOP rival, Gov. Charlie Crist, in the Florida Senate Race.

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"A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely GOP primary voters finds Crist and Rubio each with 43 percent of the vote. Five percent prefer another candidate, and nine percent are undecided.

Crist's support has fallen from 53 percent in August to 49 percent in October. Rasmussen Reports noted at the time,

"The fact that Crist has fallen below 50 percent in a primary against a lesser known opponent suggests potential vulnerability."

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This is not good news for Crist who has a ten million dollar war-chest and the backing of much of the Republican establishment.

One GOP leader who is not backing Crist, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), hosted a small dinner last night in DC for Mark Rubio. I found Rubio very appealing as a candidate and a person -- 38 years old, the father of four young children, Rubio left the table to call home and tell his children 'goodnight' just before bedtime. Rubio, from the Cuban community of Miami, obviously didn't do this for show -- he often spoke in a self-effacing way about his wife, Jeanette, who reminds him to take out the garbage and "move those boxes."

Rubio still has the dash and charm of a young man, but he's a seasoned politician having just finished eight years in the Florida legislature, rising to Majority Whip, Majority Leader, and Speaker of the House.

I will be publishing a longer feature on Rubio, with an interview, in the next few days. The Senate seat being sought belonged to Sen. Mel Martinez, another pro-life Catholic from the American-Cuban community. Rubio's family story is compelling in much the same way as was Martinez's.

Keep your eye on Rubio, he's got a personality, quickness of mind, and fearlessness, not often found in politics.

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