GOP congressman faces big challenge

Democrat getting $4M from party in Orlando-area race.

TALLAHASSEE — A redrawn Orlando-area district has left one of Florida’s longest-serving congressional members in a tough re-election fight against a well-financed newcomer who has the backing of national Democrats.

U.S. Rep. John Mica, 73, a Winter Park Republican who is seeking his 13th term in Congress, is facing Stephanie Murphy, 38, a Winter Park Democrat and businesswoman, in Congressional District 7.

The battleground is what the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee identified earlier this year as “the most competitive” di stric t in Florida, after a court-ordered redistricting process. Democratic President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney each received the support of 50 percent of Congressio - nal District 7 voters in 2012, while Republican Gov. Rick Scott eked out 50.9 percent against Democratic challenger Charlie Crist in 2014 among district voters.

“It is a much more competitive district,” Mica said about the district, which includes all of Seminole County and a portion of Orange County, including Winter Park and a quarter of Orlando.

But Mica said the differe nce i s not s o much t he court- ordered redi stric ting as it is the fact that U.S. Ho u s e Mi n o r i t y L e a d e r Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has pledged to spend some $4 mi l l i o n h e l p i n g Murphy in the race, with $3.1 million already spent on cable and television advertising through mid-October.

“They ’ re c oming a f te r the seat. I don’t think they care about me,” Mica said, explaining that his seat is one of 30 GOP seats targeted by the Democrats across the nation.

Murphy is an executive at Sungate Capital, an investment firm, and is an instructor at Rollins College, where she teaches business and s oc i a l e nt re pre neurshi p classes.

Murphy said Mica is out of touch on issues important to the reshaped district, including women’s issues, gun control and gay rights.

Mica likened his current challenge to his 2002 campaign when he faced another wel l - f i na nc e d Democ r a t , Wayne Hogan of Jacksonville. “We had to wait and take the punishment, but we beat him 60-40 (percent),” Mica said.