Florida Democrat Congresswoman Rep. Stephanie Murphy announced on Monday that she will not run for re-election next year.
“I strongly believe in a citizen Congress, where ordinary citizens run for office in search of duty and service, not in search of a career. And I never intended my time in Congress to become a career,” the congresswoman said in a statement.
She also added that she wants to spend more time with the family and find new ways to give back to her country. This would be her third term in congress.
Murphy is now the 22nd Democrat in the House of Representatives to announce retirement ahead of the 2022 mid-term elections.
According to a report by Orlando Weekly, this decision came after Murphy faced intense scrutiny from Republican opposition in the sunshine state. There was also a redistricting proposal for the state that would almost completely re-arrange her district and it would be challenging for any Democrat to win in that district.
Murphy, one of the top members in the Democratic caucus first entered congress in 2016 after defeating the 12-term Republican incumbent John Mica.
She added in her statement, “I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together over these last five years. I am most proud that through it all — whether the Democrats were in charge or the Republicans, whether under President Trump or President Biden — I was consistently named one of the most bipartisan and effective members of Congress. Because from day one, I have always put people over politics.”
Republican State Representative Anthony Sabatini who was challenging Murphy in 2022 mid-term reacted to this news on Twitter and stated:
“BREAKING: My Democrat opponent @RepStephMurphy just DROPPED OUT of the race! Our #AmericaFirst campaign for Congress is making the Swamp drain itself”
What do you make of Murphy’s announcement? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
