Independent candidate sues to get on Florida Senate debate stage

An Independent Senate candidate in Florida filed a lawsuit on Thursday against the Federal Communications Commission and several news organizations to allow participation in the televised debates.

{mosads}Steve Machat, who’s a non-party affiliate (NPA), argued that third-party candidates should be included in the Florida Senate debates along with major party nominees GOP Sen. Marco Rubio and Democratic Rep. Patrick Murphy.

Rubio and Murphy have agreed to two debates: one in Orlando on Oct. 17 and another in Davie, Fla., on Oct. 26, though others have been proposed. Rubio has accepted at least eight debate invitations, while Murphy has agreed to participate in three debates and one forum.

“Our intention is to give the citizens of Florida an informed and educated experience with all the candidates in Florida’s U.S. Senate race, not just one Democrat and one Republican, neither of which represent the majority of Florida’s voters,” Machat said in a release.

Machat filed a suit with a U.S. District Court in southern Florida. In the court document, he argues that, “As a proper candidate in said election, [he] has every right to be heard and debate the issues with the other candidates.”

But he’s considered a long-shot for the battleground seat that could determine which party controls the Senate next year.

Rubio and Murphy have clashed over a host of issues and outside groups have poured money into the Sunshine State race. A RealClearPolitics polling average has Rubio ahead by 6 points.