ORLANDO, Fla. — U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy of Central Florida said Monday she won't run for U.S. Senate.

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Murphy, whose district includes Winter Park, said she will instead focus on building the Florida Democratic Party’s infrastructure.

Her decision widens a path for Democratic U.S. Rep. Val Demings of Orlando, who has said she's strongly considering a bid for U.S. Senate, challenging junior Republican Sen. Marco Rubio.

Demings had also been considering a run for Florida governor. But with her likely decision to turn her attention to the Senate, that leaves Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist as the two main contenders in the Democratic primary for governor.

After news of Demings' likely Senate run emerged, former State Attorney Aramis Ayala, who weeks ago said she was considering a U.S. Senate run, then pivoted to say she would focus on a possible bid for Demings’ Congressional seat in the U.S. House.