12-term GOP rep gets Dem challenger in Florida

Rep. John Mica (R) now has a Democrat gunning for his seat representing Florida’s 7th Congressional District.

College professor Stephanie Murphy on Thursday filed to run for Mica’s House seat, Floridapolitics.com reported.

{mosads}“I don’t know John, but I think he’s on the wrong side of history on a couple of points, particularly in light of the tragedy that happened in Orlando,” she said in a statement, referencing the mass shooting there on June 12.

“He has voted against ‘no fly, no buy,’ and as a person with a national security background and as a mom I just find that to be an unconscionable position,” added Murphy, a former Department of Defense (DOD) analyst. “It’s clear that’s a common sense solution that can be easily implemented.”

Mica’s campaign on Thursday dismissed Murphy as not a threat to the 12-term incumbent congressman.

“In desperation, the DCCC recruited a last-minute candidate, a former administration political appointee,” said campaign spokesman Alan Byrd, referencing the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “In the past, Mica defeated, after redistricting, a $5 million self-funder by nearly 20 points. Right now, however, Mica is focused on issues around transportation, jobs, seniors and veterans.”

Byrd seemed to be referring to Mica’s win over a Democratic challenger in 2002, Wayne Hogan, who was largely self-funded and spent $4.5 million against him.

Floridapolitics.com clarified Murphy was not a political appointee, adding she served in the Department of Defense under former President George W. Bush.

Murphy teaches business and social entrepreneurship at Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla. She is also an executive at Sungate Capital there, leading investment efforts and government affairs initiatives.

Murphy said she plans on emphasizing her work ethic and immigrant background during her race with Mica.

Floridapolitics.com said Murphy’s parents fled communist Vietnam, eventually reaching the U.S. via help from the Lutheran Church.

“I think I am a demonstration of the American dream,” she said. “I’ve been able, through hard work and good solid values, to achieve a lot of things.

“I think this is the only country in the world where you can see a woman who came into this country as a refugee standing next to the secretary of Defense as a policy analyst.”