Stephanie Murphy, a former House Democrat known for her moderate stance and bipartisan efforts, is running for mayor of Orange County, Florida. The former representative, who had previously worked in business, cited her experience in both sectors as a driving force behind her decision to run. In her announcement, Murphy emphasized her dedication to improving the lives of working families through policies focused on safer communities and stronger schools. Her candidacy has drawn attention due to her history of bipartisan efforts and her tenure in the House of Representatives, where she was ranked one of America’s most bipartisan and effective members of Congress.
Murphy, who had unseated Republican John Mica in 2016, made a surprise announcement in 2021 that she would not seek reelection to her Orlando-area House seat. Her retirement sparked concerns from moderate Democrats about the future of the party, as she had played a key role in developing the strategy to retake the House in 2018. At the time, Murphy told POLITICO that her decision was due to the personal sacrifices and impact on her family, stating that it was hard to understand why someone her age would retire without some sort of scandal or fear of losing reelection.
In her recent mayoral announcement, Murphy emphasized raising her children in Orange County and highlighted policies aimed at working families. Her campaign video centered around initiatives to create safer communities and strengthen schools, reflecting her focus on local issues and community development. The move is seen as a continuation of her commitment to serving the public, albeit with a shift from federal to local governance.