John Mica

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John Mica
John Mica Portrait.jpg
Chair of the House Transportation Committee
In office
January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013
Preceded by Jim Oberstar
Succeeded by Bill Shuster
Ranking Member of the House Transportation Committee
In office
January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by Jim Oberstar
Succeeded by Nick Rahall
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 7th district
In office
January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2017
Preceded by Sam Gibbons
Succeeded by Stephanie Murphy
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 41st district
In office
1976–1980
Preceded by Harvey Matthews
Succeeded by Daniel Webster
Personal details
Born John Luigi Mica
(1943-01-27) January 27, 1943 (age 81)
Binghamton, New York, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Patricia Mica
Children 2
Alma mater Miami Dade College
University of Florida (BA)

John Luigi Mica (born January 27, 1943) is an American businessman, consultant and Republican politician who represented Florida's 7th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993 to 2017. He was defeated by Democrat Stephanie Murphy in the November 8, 2016, general election while serving his 12th term in office.

Early life, education, and business career

Mica was born in Binghamton, New York and grew up in Florida. He was educated at Miami Edison High School, Miami-Dade Community College and the University of Florida, where he received a degree in education and was a member of Delta Chi Fraternity and Florida Blue Key. He has been a businessman serving in the real estate, telecommunications, government affairs and consulting fields.

Early political career

Mica was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1976–80 and served on several committees, including the Appropriations Committee. He was a staff member for Senator Paula F. Hawkins from 1981–85 and became her chief of staff.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

1992

In 1992, Mica ran for Congress in the 7th District, previously the 4th District represented by two-term Republican Craig T. James.

John Mica while a member of the Florida state legislature

Mica won the Republican primary with 53% of the vote, defeating State Representative Richard Graham (34%) and Vaughn Forrest (13%).[1] In the general election, he defeated Democrat Dan Webster 56%–44%.[2]

1994–2004

During this time period, he won re-election every two years with at least 60% of the vote.[3]

2006

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Mica defeated Jack Chagnon 63%–37%.[4]

2008

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Mica defeated Faye Armitage 62%–38%.[5]

2010

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Mica defeated Heather Beaven 69%–31%.[6]

2012

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After the 2010 Census, the bulk of Mica's territory became the 6th District. However, most of the Orange County portion, including Mica's home in Winter Park, was drawn into the new 7th District. That district had previously been the 24th District, represented by freshman Republican Sandy Adams. Mica defeated Adams in the Republican primary with 61 percent of the vote. In the general election, Mica defeated Jason Kendall 59%–41%.[7]

2014

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Mica defeated Wes Neuman 64%–32%.[8]

2016

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In the general election, Mica lost to Democrat Stephanie Murphy by a margin of 51%–49%.[9]

Policy positions

Abortion

Mica opposes abortion. Regarding taxpayer funding of abortion through Planned Parenthood, he has said “I think the majority of Americans would oppose public, federal dollars going into abortion."[10]

Economic issues

Mica voted against the 2009 stimulus.[11] He has brought federal money for Florida highways, SunRail, the Veterans Administration Medical Center, and the University of Central Florida.[12]

Transportation

Mica supports Amtrak privatization.[13] In 2009, he earmarked $13 million for the Central Florida Commuter Rail, which was supported by a client of Mica's daughter.[14]

Mica has been opposed to the federal government contributing any additional funds towards repairing the Washington DC Metrorail system.[15]

Marijuana

As chairman of the House Oversight Committee's subcommittee on government operations, Mica convened a hearing on marijuana legalization in 1999. It was the first such hearing since 1988. Mica opposes the legalization of recreational marijuana.[16][17] Another such hearing was held by Mica in 2014 on the same subject, with multiple drug experts providing input.[18]

Committee assignments

Mica was chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee from January 3, 2011 to December 2012.

Personal life

Mica is married to Patricia, a schoolteacher, and has two grown children. He lives in Winter Park, Florida. He is the brother of former Representative Daniel A. Mica, while his other brother, David, is a former ranking staffer of Senator Lawton Chiles.[19] He is a member of the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees and the Coast Guard Academy Board of Visitors.[20][21]

Mica and his wife own six properties on Capitol Hill. From 2006–13, they paid $1,071.81 in 17 penalty payments for paying their property taxes late.[22]

References

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  9. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=801550
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External links

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 2nd congressional district

1993–2017
Succeeded by
Stephanie Murphy
Preceded by Chair of the House Transportation Committee
2011–2013
Succeeded by
Bill Shuster