Martin County School Board member Rebecca Negron announced on Tuesday that she is running for the congressional seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., who is running for the U.S. Senate.
I believe we live in a nation that, as our Founding Fathers intended, has given its citizens the greatest opportunities for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, said Negron, the wife of Florida Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, who is the favorite to be the next president of the Florida Senate. However, I am concerned that if we continue on our current path, those opportunities will be threatened. We are straying from the principles that have made our country great and on which our country was founded, which is fracturing our nation and stifling meaningful policy changes.
Much like Murphy has in the past two elections, Negron downplayed partisanship and pledged to find common ground. Negron is a registered nurse who has served on the Martin County School Board since 2012.
Partisan politics will always exist, but we must find a way to avoid partisan policies that do not move our communities and our nation forward, Negron said on Tuesday. We can still retain our individualistic spirit and celebrate our differences and unique perspectives, but we must work to find common ground that will result in real change.
I have lived in Martin County for more than 30 years, and I have worked and raised a family here, Negron added. I know the issues that are important to our area, and I know that our area wants and deserves someone in Washington that is grounded in their roots here at home, but can make a difference in Washington. Over the course of this campaign, I look forward to a healthy discussion on issues, such as educating our children, growing our economy and workforce and helping families keep more of their hard-earned dollars to spend how they wish, not how the federal government wants. I also plan to campaign on local issues, such as long-term water solutions and the environment all of which I know are front-of-mind issues for my neighbors.
I look forward to getting out on the campaign trail and earning every vote, Negron promised.
While Murphy edged then-U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Fla., here in 2012 and routed former state Rep. Carl Domino two years later, Republicans have a slight registration advantage in the district and competitive primaries are expected on both sides of the aisle.
Palm Beach County Commissioner Priscilla Taylor and engineer Juan Xuna are already running in the Democratic primary. Other potential Democratic candidates include two members of the Florida Senate in Joe Abruzzo of Wellington and Jeff Clemens of Lake Worth, St. Lucie County Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky and Palm Beach County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay.
On the Republican side, Domino could contest for the seat again. Florida Rep. Pat Rooney, R-Palm Beach Gardens, could also run but he is also in the mix for the seat currently held by his brother, U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Fla., who could join Murphy in the Senate race. Other potential candidates include Florida Rep. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, former congressional staffer Stephen Leighton, St. Lucie County Commissioner Tod Mowery, Martin County Commissioner Doug Smith and businessman Gary Uber.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
