As Democrats seek House wins, lawmaker walks Trump tightrope

In this photo taken Oct. 19, 2016 photo, Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., center, greets voters at an event in Maitland, Fla. Mica is seeking a 13th term in Congress from central Florida, but it's not an easy path. The veteran Republican tells supporters turnout is critical. And he's offers them this advice about his re-election contest: ``Don't let it get caught up in any of the other races or issues." That seems code for Donald Trump, whose presidential run carries mixed blessings in a tight district. More than Trump is threatening Mica's career. In a battle of old school versus new, Mica faces Democrat Stephanie Murphy, a 38-year-old political neophyte.
In this photo taken Oct. 19, 2016 photo, Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., center, greets voters at an event in Maitland, Fla. Mica is seeking a 13th term in Congress from central Florida, but it's not an easy path. The veteran Republican tells supporters turnout is critical. And he's offers them this advice about his re-election contest: ``Don't let it get caught up in any of the other races or issues." That seems code for Donald Trump, whose presidential run carries mixed blessings in a tight district. More than Trump is threatening Mica's career. In a battle of old school versus new, Mica faces Democrat Stephanie Murphy, a 38-year-old political neophyte.

ORLANDO, Fla.-John Mica is seeking a 13th term in Congress from central Florida, but it's not an easy path.

The veteran Republican tells supporters turnout is critical. And he's offers them this advice about his re-election contest: "Don't let it get caught up in any of the other races or issues."

That seems code for Donald Trump, whose presidential run carries mixed blessings in a tight district.

More than Trump is threatening Mica's career.

In a battle of old school versus new, the 73-year-old Mica faces Democrat Stephanie Murphy, a 38-year-old political neophyte.

When she was an infant, her family escaped from Vietnam. She went to William and Mary and Georgetown, and has worked in the Pentagon, and in finance and academia. She even holds a patent for women's softball pants.