Patrick Murphy, D-Fla.
(18th District)

Patrick Murphy brings a moderate voice to Washington, D.C., after a complicated campaign in which he initially ran for the 22nd District seat but switched to the 18th District once Florida redistricting was complete.

Like many new members, Murphy’s primary focus is on job creation — not just in his own district, but across the country. His experience as a CPA for Deloitte and Touche, combined with his current position as vice president of an environmental and disaster clean-up firm, gives him a base from which to promote business needs.

“No. 1 has got to be job creation,” Murphy says. “I think what we need is a plan that allows all companies of all sizes, small and large businesses, to expense all investment for the next three years.”

Murphy also believes in striking a balance between protecting the environment and promoting industry.

“I think you have to be realistic. We have to acknowledge that, with energy specifically, you have to have a long-term plan and long-term goals. You have to start transitioning to a greener energy economy,” he says.

Murphy puts himself smack-dab in the middle of the ideological scale. “I consider myself a moderate,” he says. “Fiscally, I consider myself responsible, and socially I’m accepting.”

Murphy received support from former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, a former Republican who ran a failed Senate bid as an independent in 2010.