Stephanie Murphy, recognized for her centrist stances during her tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, has declared her candidacy for the mayor of Orange County, Florida. This move marks her return to the political scene after her decision not to seek reelection in 2021 shook the moderate wing of the Democratic Party.

“I was proud to represent parts of Orlando in the House of Representatives, where I was ranked one of America’s most bipartisan and effective members of Congress,” Murphy stated in her announcement on Wednesday. “But before I was ever in Washington, I worked in business, helping companies grow, solve problems and cut through red tape. Now I want to bring that same approach to local government.”

Murphy’s political career began with a notable victory in 2016 when she defeated long-serving Republican John Mica in Florida's Orlando-area district. During her time in Congress, she played a crucial role in crafting strategies that helped the Democrats retake the House in 2018. Her unexpected retirement announcement in 2021, citing the toll her career took on her personal life, sparked discussions about the future of moderate Democrats.

At that time, Murphy expressed to POLITICO the challenges of balancing political life with family commitments. “I think it’s hard for people in politics and especially in Washington to understand that someone at my age would quote unquote, retire ... without having some sort of scandal or without fear of losing a reelection or without immediately running for another position or job,” she said. “But really, right now I need to be with my family.”

Now stepping back into the fray, Murphy is focusing her mayoral campaign on crucial local issues such as public safety and education, drawing directly from her experiences as a mother raising children in Orange County. “I have skin in the game,” she remarked during her campaign announcement, which prominently featured her commitment to policies supporting working families.

As the race for mayor heats up, residents of Orange County are keen to see how Murphy’s blend of business acumen and legislative experience will translate into her vision for local governance. With her bipartisan approach, Murphy aims to address the nuanced challenges facing the diverse communities of one of Florida's most populous regions.