To: Interested Parties
From: Jermaine House, South Regional Press Secretary
Date: August 30, 2016
Re: Memo: The Case Against John Mica
Though Florida’s 7th Congressional District is the most statistically competitive congressional race in Florida, the numbers are just part of the story about why this district is a prime pickup opportunity for Democrats. As a result of both redistricting and accelerating demographic shifts, incumbent John Mica will face a dramatically different electorate in November that’s significantly more diverse and younger. Once protected by a gerrymandered district, Mica’s extremely conservative record and public embrace of Donald Trump place him squarely out of the mainstream of moderate and diverse voters in the redrawn seat. Tomorrow, Congressman Mica begins what will be the most challenging political battle of his career – and he is not prepared for what’s ahead.
The Sands Have Shifted Under Mica’s Feet
After redistricting, in addition to becoming one of the youngest congressional districts in Florida, the 7th gains more Hispanic voters and is higher-educated than the state as a whole. The average income is also higher than the state’s average. Put simply, the district comprises many constituencies that Donald Trump is most toxic with: women, communities of color, millennials, and affluent, higher-educated, suburban voters. Not only did President Obama carry the district in 2008 and 2012, Donald Trump has significantly damaged the Republican brand among the emerging electorate in Florida’s 7th.
Democratic groups up and down the ticket have reserved millions in the Orlando media market, targeting Donald Trump, and will drive turnout among key demographics along the I-4 Corridor. This presents a serious challenge for Mica, who has never faced an electorate that will hold him accountable for his deplorable and reckless record.
John Mica is Florida’s Donald Trump: Racial Insensitivity, Anti-Women Stances, & Dubious Finances
Racial Insensitivity: Like Donald Trump, John Mica is known for spewing insensitive remarks, offending key demographics that he now needs to win in a competitive district. He recently sent a letter to President Obama telling him that he should spend time talking to “thugs” in urban areas rather than hosting a town hall meeting on gun violence. Mica previously compared providing welfare benefits to feeding alligators and, after endorsing Trump, Mica said he supported Trump’s reckless plan to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. Mica remains a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, once defending his support by claiming Trump did well in his district. This statement – in addition to being offensive for its support of a bigoted demagogue – suggests that John Mica remains out of touch and unware of the difference between the Republican primary electorate and the more diverse general electorate he now faces.
Mica’s Dubious Finances: Similar to Trump’s dubious personal finances, Mica has a few messes of his own. Though Mica preached fiscal responsibility for decades, Washington City Paper uncovered several late property tax payments from Mica on his D.C. properties. Mica also used his campaign to spend hundreds of thousands on “meals with constituents” in places outside his district in Florida, D.C. Mica’s campaign also spent money on meals in unusual places far outside of his district like New York City, Scottsdale and near his vacation home in North Carolina. During the same span, Mica voted for Republican measures that would cut critical programs like Medicare, Pell Grant funding, and Social Security, while at the same time giving himself a pay raise. It’s the kind of selfish behavior that is turning voters across the country off from Trump, and Mica will meet the same fate this fall.
Anti-Women: John Mica made disgusting comments in opposition to protecting women from marital rape and given the chance to set the record straight, he refused to do so. Mica’s been in Congress for so long, he voted against the original Violence Against Women Act as well as its reauthorization. He even supports a constitutional amendment to ban abortion. Mica has also long opposed legislation to make sure that women receive equal pay for equal work.
John Mica’s Missteps Prove He Is Untested
Having never run in a competitive district, John Mica is unprepared to compete in a real race: he continues to make missteps that are uncharacteristic of incumbents in battleground congressional districts.
Misstep #1: Mica’s fundraising is not consistent with similar battleground districts. In Q3 of 2015, Mica raised less than $50,000.
Misstep #2: Mica accepted a donation from the gun lobby two days following the Orlando shooting tragedy.
Misstep #3: Despite an outcry from 80 groups, Mica allowed debate on an anti-LGBT bill, one month after the Orlando shooting tragedy.
Misstep #4: Mica stood by while his endorsed presidential candidate Donald Trump attended an anti-gay rally on the anniversary of Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando.
Misstep #5: Mica ignored bipartisan calls to return to Congress to combat Zika and repeatedly claims wrongly that President Obama’s administration already has the funds necessary to combat the virus.
Stephanie Murphy is the Right Fit for this District
Professor, executive, and former national security specialist Stephanie Murphy represents everything John Mica is not. Her views are more aligned with voters in this redrawn moderate district, and her solid background in business, national security, and education makes her a unique candidate. She earned a spot on DCCC’s Red to Blue Program, and within one week of entering the race, Murphy raised an astounding $126,346 to finish the second quarter fundraising period. In striking comparison, Mica raised only $128,000 in the entire first quarter of this year.
Conclusion
Until now, Mica’s reelections battles have been relatively easy. With Trump atop the Republican ticket in this newly competitive district, Mica will be forced to play an unfamiliar defensive campaign against a formidable opponent.