Conservative talk-radio host K.C. Ingram-Traylor, one of the most vocal opponents of All Aboard Florida (AAF), is looking at running for Congress in the wide open race to replace U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., who is running for the U.S. Senate in 2016.
Ingram-Traylor, who would run in the Republican primary, told Sunshine State News on Thursday that she was looking at entering the race.
“I am definitely considering running for Congress,” Ingram-Traylor said.
Asked about a timeline for a campaign launch, Ingram-Traylor said she hoped to have a decision made by the end of July.
Ingram-Traylor told Sunshine State News that she was concerned with local issues as well as national ones. “I want to focus on the Indian River Lagoon and the All Aboard Florida projects,” she said. Turning her fire to AAF, Ingram-Traylor slammed the private company for relying on public money.
If she runs, Ingram-Traylorwill join a crowded Republican primary field. Already announced candidates include: former state Rep. Carl Domino, who Murphy beat last year; attorney and Republican activist Rick Kozell; veteran Brian Mast; St. Lucie County Commissioner Tod Mowery; Martin County School Board member Rebecca Negron; and businessman Paul Spain who ran against U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., last year. Possible Republican candidates include conservative leader Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent who ran for the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House in Maryland; attorney and congressional aide Bill Castle; state Rep. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart; educator Belinda Keiser; former congressional aide Stephen Leighton; conservative pundit Noelle Nikpour; Martin County Commissioner Doug Smith; and businessman Gary Uber.
On the Democratic side, Melissa McKinlay and Priscilla Taylor, both members of the Palm Beach County Commission, are already running. So is engineer Juan Xuna. Other possible candidates include attorney Jonathan Chane and St. Lucie County Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky.
The race is expected to be competitive in the general election.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
