2018 may seem far away, but the National Congressional Committee isn’t wasting any time trying to knock off one of its biggest targets next year.
On Tuesday, the NRCC released a digital billboard in Florida’s 7th Congressional district, which is currently represented by Democrat U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy.
The billboard, which was placed off of I-4 in Winter Park, blasts Murphy for her commitment to Obamacare and the single-payer healthcare system. The billboard also includes Murphy's office phone number.
“Stephanie Murphy supports Obamacare, yet her constituents are suffering under it,” said NRCC Spokesperson Maddie Anderson.
The NRCC told Sunshine State News the billboard will be up for a week.
In February, the NRCC unveiled their initial wave of targeted Democratic incumbents in 2018. Among the 36 Dems was Murphy, who defeated Republican incumbent John Mica in a historic upset last November.
The race for CD7 was one of the most expensive races and closest racesin the country last year, with Murphy taking over 51 percent of the vote while Mica pulled 48.5 percent.
Cook Political Report now lists Murphy's district as “Even” in its partisan voter index for 2018.
The NRCC, seeing an opportunity to take back the seat which Republicans held for 24 years, has wasted no time pumping money into attacking Murphy.
“The voters of Florida’s 7th Congressional District need to know that their representative is a supporter of the failed law, and is doing nothing to fix the problems they are experiencing because of it,” Anderson said. “Now, the Democrats are moving even further left to a push for single payer. Murphy’s constituents should make sure she is not in favor of implementing this radical, costly, and sure to fail system.”
The billboard comes after a fierce debate over the future of healthcare in the U.S. Last month, House Speaker Paul Ryan and President Donald Trump tried to dismantle the Affordable Care Act and replace the plan with a GOP-pushed plan, but the proposal failed.
Florida’s 7th congressional district covers all of Seminole County and parts of Orange County and encompasses much of downtown Orlando.
Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, is rumored to be considering the Republican nomianation to challenge Murphy.
State Rep. Bob Cortes, R-Altamonte Spring, was also rumored to be pondering challenging Murphy next year, but ultimately decided against running next year.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
