Federal stimulus, ethics among issues in 1st US Senate debate in Fla. between Crist, Rubio

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Crist, Rubio make Fla. Senate debate about trust

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio are asking Florida voters who they trust more in their first debate in a Republican primary for a U.S. Senate seat.

Crist questioned Rubio’s ethics during the debate that aired on Fox News Sunday. He also challenged how Rubio spent money raised through political committees.

Rubio, a former House speaker in Florida, repeatedly criticized Crist for campaigning with President Barack Obama to pass last year’s $787 billion federal stimulus.

Rubio says he will stand up to Obama’s agenda and that the governor is more focused on political attacks than talking about serious federal issues.

Recent polls have shown the conservative Rubio leading the more moderate Crist.