With Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (R) running for president, a U.S. Senate seat will open up, and Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) is looking to fill it. Thank goodness for that because a progressive-leaning, Democrat is something that Florida has needed for a long time.

Rep. Grayson announced his campaign early Thursday morning. Grayson is not the Establishment Democratic candidate that many are used to seeing. He’s strong, bold, and doesn’t do the bidding of big time lobbying groups and corporations. His opponent is Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-FL) who is a moderate Democrat beloved by the Establishment; he’s the “cautious” candidate.

Crooks and Liars noted that Establishment Democrats in Washington and Tallahassee have already launched a smear campaign against Grayson. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) has even tried to keep Grayson from running altogether. Stuffy Establishment types are nervous because Grayson is an unfiltered progressive, something that’s severely lacking in American politics.

Grayson is brash and outspoken. He’s the candidate that Florida needs. The Establishment Democrats have played it safe for far too long. Some Republicans tweeted their reactions to Grayson’s announcement to run. It’s priceless.