Three Republicans, one Democrat qualify to challenge Stephanie Murphy

Republicans state Rep. Mike Miller, Scott Sturgill, and Vennia Francois, and Democrat Chardo Richardson all qualified for the ballot with hopes of taking on incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy in Florida’s 7th Congressional District.

All five candidates, including Murphy, qualified for the ballot by sending in $10,440 checks.

So on August 28 CD 7 voters in Seminole County and north and central Orange County will have both a Republican primary, with Miller, Sturgill, and Francois; and a Democratic primary, with Murphy and Richardson.

Another Republican who had filed, Patrick Weingart, did not qualify for the ballot.

Murphy is a first-term congresswoman from Winter Park, a businesswoman and former instructor at Rollins College.

Miller is a two-term member of the Florida House from Winter Park, who had served on the staffs of U.S. Sens. Connie Mack and Mel Martinez.

Sturgill is a Sanford businessman who previously ran for the Florida House in 2014.

Francois is an Orlando lawyer who also served on Martinez’s staff, as well as that of U.S. Sen. George LeMieux.

Richardson is an Air Force veteran and former head of the Central Florida Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.