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Now in her third term representing Florida's 10th Congressional District, Demings has been on the fence for months considering a run for the U.S. Senate or Florida governor.

One source told ABC News in May that her decision to jump into the Senate race came down to her increasing frustration with Senate Republicans and what she sees as their \"obstruction\" of critical legislation.

The source said general Republican opposition to Biden's massive COVID-19 relief package \"pushed her over the edge.\"

Rubio, who pursued an unsuccessful bid for the White House in 2016, began attacking Demings earlier this week and came out with a statement Wednesday morning slamming Demings' voting record while touting his record of bipartisanship.

\"Marco has consistently delivered for Florida families. He created the small business rescue plan that saved millions of Florida Jobs, took on his own party to double the Child Tax Credit, and fought to ensure Florida veterans receive the care they earned,\" Rubio's campaign manager Mark Morgan said in a statement reacting to Demings' announcement. \"Florida deserves a Senator with a proven track record of fighting, and winning, for Florida families.”

\"PHOTO:
Stefani Reynolds/Pool via Getty Images, FILE
PHOTO: Senator Marco Rubio speaks during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, May 26, 2021, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
>

Rubio is running for a third term in Florida, a state that has consistently been on Democrats' wish list.

Demings is the first Democrat with national name recognition to jump into the race against Rubio. Rep. Stephanie Murphy was also rumored to be considering a bid, but she has said she is no longer considering running.

ABC News' Rachel Scott contributed to this report.

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