An influential Washington D.C. political report now lists the race to replace Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-Jupiter) as a “toss-up.” Today’s post from the Rothenberg Report confirms Florida Republicans’ belief that Murphy’s entry into the U.S. Senate race presents a golden opportunity to pick a House seat. In 2012, Murphy, the hand-picked candidate of Debbie Wasserman Schultz, narrowly defeated Congressman Allen West.

Rothenberg writes several Republicans are planning to face off in the hopes of representing District 18. Several local Democrat politicians have already announced their intentions to run. He wrote, “on the Republican side, state Rep. Pat Rooney Jr., brother of Florida Rep. Tom Rooney, might run and is casting a shadow over the race until he decides. Businessman Gary Uber (he owns a home health care company, not an on-demand car service) and St. Lucie County Commissioner Tod Mowery may run.”

Rothenberg reports a Fox News Channel contributor may jump into the race as well. He wrote,”A wild card might be FOX News commentator Noelle Nikpour. Even though she is from Arkansas, Nikpour is a columnist for the Sun Sentinel and is apparently putting together a campaign to run in this district.”

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