Mitch Perry
St. Lucie County Commissioner Tod Mowery on Friday announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for Florida’s 18th Congressional District. The seat is being vacated by Jupiter Democrat Patrick Murphy.
“Public service is a privilege and one that I don’t take lightly,” Mowery said in a prepared statement. “I love serving the residents of St. Lucie County and believe that together, we can continue to improve our quality of life here on the Treasure Coast.
Mowery is in his second term on the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners. He previously had a two-year term as chairman.
He becomes the third Republican to enter the race, joining former state Rep. Carl Domino and Martin County School Board member Rebecca Negron. Domino was the GOP candidate in the CD 18 race in November, where he was smoked by Murphy, losing by nearly 20 percentage points.
Three Democrats have announced their candidacy for the seat: Palm Beach County Commissioners Melissa McKinlay and Priscilla Taylor, and retired engineer John “Juan” Xuna.
Mowery’s background includes time spent overseas in Geneva and Zambia and 10 years in city management, including Michigan and Jupiter. In the new release announcing his candidacy, he states that he regularly leads missions and humanitarian teams to Haiti. His private-sector experience includes managing and now owning a local consulting practice providing services in economic development, landscape architecture, and land planning.
“Our nation isn’t the envy of the world because of intrusive ‘big government’ and the policies of Washington, D.C.; our greatness is unlocked through the power of our people,” Mowery states.
Murphy announced in March that he was leaving his seat that he’s held for a little more than two years to run for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. He’s quickly gained support from all elements of the party since, as well as the endorsement from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. The 32-year-old Murphy defeated Tea Party favorite Allen West for the congressional seat in 2012.
