Democrat Heather Beaven to run in old Mica district

Democrats have fielded Navy veteran Heather Beaven to run for the open House seat in Florida that Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) currently holds.

A Navy cryptologist during Operation Desert Storm, Beaven was chosen by former President Clinton to be one of the first 10 females to serve on a combat-ready vessel. She later managed social programs for former Kansas Gov. Bill Graves (R), and runs an educational organization in Florida.

"As the next member of Congress, I will make job creation and economic development my first, second and third priorities," Beaven said in announcing her candidacy. "Instead of protecting tax breaks for the ultra rich and ending Medicare, we have to make the right investments to give our young people the tools to succeed, strengthen the middle class, and ensure that our country honors its commitment to seniors."

Beaven lost in 2010 by 38 points to Mica, who out-raised her five to one. But redistricting led Mica to opt for a primary fight against Rep. Sandy Adams (R-Fla.) rather than run for reelection in the redrawn seat, leaving that seat open.

Florida's new congressional map is still making its way through the courts, but under the current proposal, the redrawn district leans Republican. President Obama would have lost the district in 2008 by about 10 points.

A handful of Republicans — including former Senate candidate Craig Miller — are already in the primary.

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