This week, a new Republican candidate emerged in the race to replace U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., in 2016 even as a potential candidate said she wasn’t going to enter the already crowded primary. Murphy is running for the U.S. Senate instead of a third term next year. 

 

Navy veteran and nurse Carla Spalding filed her paperwork this week in Tallahassee to launch her bid. 

 

“This great country is headed in the wrong direction,” Spalding announced on her website. “As a veteran and health-care provider to veterans and the elderly, I can no longer keep silent. I have seen firsthand our deficiencies and how our leaders have mismanaged their mission. Our leaders need to focus on what is best for the American people. We need new priorities, new commitments and new leadership.

 

“It’s time to take back our country and make a better future for our children,” Spalding added. ?My campaign will focus on returning to our roots and core values. Building our future through education, better jobs, strengthening the middle class and rebuilding a respected military should be the goal of every American. I will focus on each of these areas with new ideas and a workable plan. I am an advocate for children, veterans and our seniors. I will be your voice, the voice of the people. I will listen to your concerns and do what is right for you, not special interest groups.”

 

Spalding joins an already crowded field including: former state Rep. Carl Domino, who Murphy routed in last year’s election; attorney Rick Kozell; veteran Brian Mast; St. Lucie County Commissioner Tod Mowery; Martin County School Board member Rebecca Negron; and businessman Paul Spain who challenged U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., in another congressional district last year. There are plenty of Republicans who have left the door open to running including former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino who ran for federal office in Maryland in 2012 and 2014; state Rep. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart; educator Belinda Keiser; former congressional staffer Stephen Leighton; pundit Noelle Nikpour; and businessman Gary Uber. 

 

The field did shrink this week. Radio host K.C. Ingram-Traylor, an opponent of All Aboard Florida, had opened the door to running in the Republican primary. But this week she told the Palm Beach Post she would not run. 

 

On the Democratic side, two members of the Palm Beach County Commission -- Melissa McKinlay and Priscilla Taylor -- are running for the nomination. So are attorney Jonathan Chane and engineer Juan Xuna. St. Luice County Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky is a possible Democratic candidate. 

 

Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN