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9 Democratic primaries to watch in 2018

Down in Florida’s 7th congressional district, former ACLU of Central Florida board president and Air Force veteran Chardo Richardson is seeking to outflank incumbent Rep. Stephanie Murphy on the left.

Richardson is a longshot still and Murphy has a significant fundraising advantage, but he comes on the scene with the backing of the Justice Democrats, a progressive group launched by Cenk Uygur of The Young Turks. California Rep. Ro Khanna, the young organization’s most prominent backer, won his seat in 2016 by knocking off a fellow Democrat, incumbent Mike Honda.

An upset here would signal a big shift — in the direction of the party’s progressive wing — for Sunshine State Democrats.

Central Florida congressional races for 2018 already start to heat up

Murphy also is facing a primary challenge on her left flank.

Chardo Richardson of Longwood, a former ACLU of Central Florida board member, said he is running on issues that include raising the minimum wage and universal health care, which remains controversial within the Democratic Party even as it defends Obamacare. Murphy is one of more than 100 Democratic members who has not signed on to a “Medicare for All” bill.

Richardson said he has been asked if a primary race could harm Democrats by diverting money needed for a general election.

“So just don’t run against our politicians, even if they’re not looking out for the people?” Richardson asked. “If they’re going to have a hard time holding the seat anyway, why not give Democrats a choice of who holds the seat?”

Murphy is strongly backed by national Democrats, who see her as an up-and-coming leader on security issues, including taking the lead in calling for White House adviser Steve Bannon to be removed from the National Security Council.

After Trump meeting, Stephanie Murphy thinks Democrats can work with him

U.S.Rep. Stephanie Murphy said Friday she is optimistic her party can work with Republicans after meeting this week with President Donald Trump,

The bipartisan push by Murphy, D-Winter Park, is important in a swing district evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.

Murphy, who also met with Trump along with a few fellow Democrats in June, was part of a group of Congress members from both parties who sat down with Trump at the White House on Wednesday.

“I believe I was invited because the president wants to meet with policymakers focused on trying to move issues forward,” she said in an interview with the Orlando Sentinel.

The first-term representative cited the bipartisan support for six of her bills that have passed the House, adding, “I’ve built a reputation in Washington for working in a bipartisan manner.”

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But the Democratic base will likely be fired up to oppose Trump, and getting out core Democratic voters could be just as important for Murphy’s re-election chances. She also faces a challenge from her left from Chardo Richardson of Longwood, a former ACLU of Central Florida board member.

“My first priority is getting relief for my constituents,” Murphy said. “I’ve always said I’ve been willing to work with members across the aisle.”