Rep. Mica Wins Re-Election Without Even One Vote

WASHINGTON-CUNA President and CEO Dan Mica’s big brother, John, was re-elected to his seat in Congress, even though his name never appeared on the ballot this year. According to an editorial by David S. Broder in The Washington Post, John Mica benefited from a Florida law, which says that if you are running unopposed and no one has filed notice of a write in campaign against you, your name does not appear on the ballot. A former Chicago Tribune political reporter now residing in Florida noticed the absence of a House candidate for the district on the ballot and asked an official, then e-mailed Broder of the incident. Mica also had no primary opponent so his name never appeared on a ballot this year. “Mica is not unique,” Broder wrote. “Five of Florida’s 25 representatives ran unopposed this year with no primary opponent either. Around the country, 30 others were similarly unchallenged.” Mica’s Legislative Director and Press Secretary Gary Burns pointed out that this is standard under Florida law and that the congressman enjoys “support from the local community.”