![U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson is expected to announce a run for the Senate Thursday.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a7f8c02/2147483647/strip/true/crop/180x257+0+0/resize/880x1256!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmediad.publicbroadcasting.net%2Fp%2Fwusf%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fcard_280%2Fpublic%2F201309%2Fgrayson.jpg)
A close friend and major Democratic Party donor says U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson is launching a campaign for the seat U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio is giving up.
Trial lawyer John Morgan said Wednesday that Grayson told him by email that he is running for Senate. Rubio is not seeking a second term because he's running for president. Grayson will announce his decision on Thursday.
Grayson will challenge U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy for their party's nomination. Many party leaders have coalesced around Murphy, a moderate who they believe has a better chance against the eventual Republican nominee.
Grayson is a favorite among progressive Democrats and is known for blunt, unapologetic criticism of Republicans and the tea party movement, which he's used to form a national support base.
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