Leftist Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy Declines Re-election Bid
Local News Staff 
Democratic U.S. Representative Stephanie Murphy announced Monday that she will not be running for re-election.
“I’ve decided not to seek another term in Congress,” Murphy stated in a post on her campaign Twitter account. “Serving Central Florida has been the honor of my life, but it’s also been incredibly challenging for my family and me. This was not an easy decision, but it is the right decision. Thank you for everything.”
Her decision to decline a re-election bid comes as newly crafted district maps revealed a less favorable outlook for a Democrat.
Although Murphy ran on a centrist platform, the Congresswoman's tenure in office witnessed her support of several notable left-wing bills, including some censoring Congressional staffers for their political views. Her husband's business ties in China and close alignment with Full Sail University had also prompted concern from watchdogs and journalists alike over the past several years.
Cory Mills and Anthony Sabatini remain top choices among a slew of potential successors to Murphy on the Republican side. Although Murphy defeated U.S. Congressman John L. Mica in 2016.
