John Mica

John Mica
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 7th district
Assumed office
January 3, 1993
Preceded by Sam Gibbons
Chairman of the House Transportation Committee
In office
January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013
Preceded by Jim Oberstar
Succeeded by Bill Shuster
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
Binghamton, New York, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Patricia Mica
Children 2
Alma mater Miami Dade College
University of Florida
Religion Episcopal

John Luigi Mica (born January 27, 1943) is a businessman, consultant, and Republican politician representing Florida's 7th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1993.

Early life, education, and business career

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

John Mica while a member of the Florida state legislature.

Early political career

Mica was a member of the Florida House of Representatives for two terms from 1976 to 1980. There he served on several committees and was a leading Republican on the powerful Appropriations Committee. He was a staff member for Senator Paula F. Hawkins from 1981 to 1985, rising to become her chief of staff. After returning to private industry, he ran for Congress in 1992.[1]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

1992

In 1992, Mica opted to run for Congress in the 7th District. The district had previously been the 4th District, represented by two-term Republican Craig T. James.

Mica won the Republican primary with 53% of the vote, defeating State Representative Richard Graham (34%) and Vaughn Forrest (13%).[2] In the general election, he defeated Democrat Dan Webster 56%–44%.[3]

1994–2004

During this time period, he won re-election every two years with at least 60% of the vote.[1]

2006

Despite the gains made by Democrats during the 2006 elections, Mica's seat remained safe. Jack Chagnon, a former teacher and Marine officer was unable to unseat the conservative incumbent in this heavily Republican district. Mica defeated Chagnon 63%–37%.[4]

2008

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

2010

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

2012

On August 14, 2012, election day, Mica defeated Adams 61%–39%.

In the 2012 election Mica’s total amount of money raised was $1,953,992, while he ended up spending $2,124,854 in his campaign. Mica’s top contributing groups to his run for office were CSX Corporation, HNTB Holdings, and the FedEx Corporation. Overall his top industry contributors were Air Transport, and Construction Services. His spending left him with no debt and $381,221 cash-on-hand.[7]

In the general election, Mica defeated Democrat Jason Kendall 59%–41%.[8]

Issues

Abortion

Mica’s view on abortion is pro-life “except in the case of rape, incest or life of the mother.” This position has gained him high ratings from Republican interest groups such as the National Right to Life Committee, and very low ratings from Democratic ones such as Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America.[9][10]

Budget

Mica believes that balancing the budget is, and should be, a priority of Congress. He however does not agree with the majority of his party that Medicare and Medicaid spending should be reduced.[10] The Conservative interest group ratings on Mica’s budget goals and position range from 86 to 90%, while the Liberal interest group ratings reward Mica with an average of 10%.[9]

Amtrak privatization

Mica has gained a reputation for being a strong supporter of Amtrak privatization.[11] In 2009, Mica earmarked $13 million for the Central Florida Commuter Rail, a major initiative supported by one of Mica's daughter's clients that received increased scrutiny after she was arrested for a DUI.[12][13]

Drugs

As chairman of the House Oversight Committee's subcommittee on government operations, Mica has convened hearings on marijuana in every month of 2014 except April, earning him the title of "one of the most obsessive drug warriors in Congress," by Marijuana Majority.[14]

Washington DC, Metro System

Mica has been opposed to the federal government contributing any additional funds towards repairing the aging Metrorail system. At an April 13, 2016 hearing on WMATA's finances, Mica was quoted as saying of the agency that transports over 700,000 commuters in the DC region, "I am not going to support bailing out the District of Columbia, Virginia needs to step up to the plate, Maryland needs to step up to the plate, and DC with that huge surplus needs to step up to the plate!”[15] He was reminded by his colleague Representative Gerald Connolly of Virginia that the budget for the District of Columbia and WMATA are in fact separate and was asked “Does Mr. Mica know know the difference between obligated funds and expended funds?” Mica later implied that the chronically underfunded WMATA has funds and simply needs to lay off staff in order to balance their budget, stating "You have the money. You need to fire people to get that place in order.”

Military

Mica also lists himself as a strong supporter of military issues. The Orlando Sentinel named Mica the 4th most powerful person in Central Florida.[16]

Taxes

In April 2016, days after Mica stated that he would not provide assistance to Washington DC's aging infrastructure, it was revealed that on multiple instances he was late in paying property taxes owed to the DC government. Mica owns six properties on Capitol Hill and between 2006 and 2013 recorded 17 penalty payments for paying late property taxes. [17]

Positions

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

Committee assignments

Personal life

Mica is married to Patricia, a school teacher, 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. He is a member of the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees, and the Coast Guard Academy Board of Visitors.

References

  1. 1 2 "Candidate – John L. Mica". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  2. ↑ "FL District 07 – R Primary Race – Sep 01, 1992". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  3. ↑ "FL District 07 Race – Nov 03, 1992". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  4. ↑ "FL – District 07 Race – Nov 07, 2006". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  5. ↑ "FL – District 07 Race – Nov 04, 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  6. ↑ "FL – District 07 Race – Nov 02, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  7. ↑ "Representative John L Mica's Campaign Finances". Project Vote Smart.
  8. ↑ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=736117
  9. 1 2 "Representative John L. Mica's Special Interest Group Ratings". Project Vote Smart.
  10. 1 2 "Representative John L Mica's Political Positions". Project Vote Smart.
  11. ↑ Hannan, Larry (June 16, 2011). "John Mica, Corrine Brown split over privatizing Amtrak in Northeast". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  12. ↑ Mosk, Matthew (January 12, 2010). "DUI Arrest Puts Spotlight on Florida Congressman". ABC News. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  13. ↑ Ward, Kenric (March 28, 2012). "Report: Two Florida Congressmen Kept Earmarks in the Family". Sunshine State News. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  14. ↑ Itkowitz, Colby. "Rep. Mica holds (another) hearing on being stoned". www.washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  15. ↑ Freed, Benjamin (April 13, 2016). "Metro Chairman Tells Congress to Chip in $300 Million Per Year. Congress Yells at Metro.". Washingtonian Magazine. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  16. ↑ Maxwell, Scott (2008-12-29). "Who is the most powerful person in Central Florida?". Orlando Sentinel.
  17. ↑ Sommer, Will (April 18, 2016). "District-Bashing Congressman Doesn’t Pay His Own D.C. Taxes On Time". Washington City Paper. Retrieved April 18, 2016.

External links

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Sam Gibbons		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 2nd congressional district
1993–present 		Incumbent
Preceded by
Jim Oberstar		 Chairman of the House Transportation Committee
2011–2013 		Succeeded by
Bill Shuster
United States order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Carolyn Maloney		 United States Representatives by seniority
47th 		Succeeded by
Lucille Roybal-Allard
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