Letter to the Editor: In response to Chris Jepson

In response to Chris Jepson: 

Chris Jepson’s misleading editorial on the race for the Seventh Congressional District continues perpetuating a distorted narrative that has been delivered with nearly $6 million spent by people who don’t live in the district. Mr. Jepson’s accusations against John Mica claim, “He embraces Trump’s sexist policies toward women” is absurd. Just review his record. Jepson’s claims couldn’t be more off base. 

In fact few Florida leaders have a better history of supporting and promoting women and their issues. John Mica helped elect our very first statewide elected female official, Paula Hawkins. Democrats ousted her and changed the Public Service Commission to an appointed position. Mica then championed the effort to make Hawkins the first popularly elected female Senator in U.S. history and then served as her chief of staff. Even before that in the community John Mica worked with local leaders like Sue Pins to support one of the first community shelters for battered women. He was a founder of Crimeline and served on the Beth Johnson Mental Health Board. He worked with the founders of the Center for Independent Living and his name is on one of the buildings at the Grove Counseling Center in Winter Springs. His work with that program now helps our youth with substance abuse challenges. Few elected officials have rebuilt more public housing i.e.: Daytona Beach, West Augustine, Palatka and Sanford – mostly benefiting poor, single and elderly women. He established our Central Florida High Intensity Drug area designation and helped establish youth community programs in Volusia and Seminole counties. This is just a small sampling of his service and contributions. Truth is Mr. Mica has a long history of supporting efforts to prevent and protect women from violence.

Jepson also neglects to acknowledge the work that Mica has done on behalf of our veterans in preserving our Lake Baldwin VA and his tireless efforts on behalf of the modeling and simulation industry, SunRail, I-4 and the Orlando International Airport – efforts that have real effects and consequences in the lives of those that live and work here. Last, in an independent review by the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt, Mica was named one of the top most effective members of Congress. No one has worked harder for our region than John Mica, which is why his commitment to his constituents is unchallenged even by the tremendous amount of money being spent against him.

Genean McKinnon