By Javier Manjarres

The increasingly contentious Republican congressional primary race between Representatives Sandy Adams and John Mica took an odd detour of sorts as both reps “just  happened” to find themselves sitting mere feet away from each other at the Town House Restaurant in Oviedo. Florida.  Adams had planned her meeting location on her public calendar well over a week in advance, while Mica’s “coincidental” appearance occurred without any prior public notice at the very same restaurant in downtown Oviedo. Coincedence?

Even more oddly, the two representatives wound up sitting about five feet away from one another- so close that the conversations at each of the tables were easily audible to the other group.  As one can certainly imagine, the simultaneous meetings were very awkward and tense.  Congressman Mica’s meeting ended first, and he then made his way over to Adams to greet both her and her guests.  Mica told the table that he was meeting with past supporters and that he was just “trying to reconnect with some ol’ constituents.”

For those of you who may not know, the creation of two new Congressional districts in Florida and the other redistricting changes that were slated to occur this year have wound up pitting Mica against Adams in the Republican primary for her current seat.  Mica could have run for re-election in the newly drawn 6th congressional district , which happens to encompass about 70% of his current congressional seat.

Mica, a 24-year congressional member since 1993, and  Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, will face a daunting challenge if he stays in the race against Adams simply because he is considered an ‘establishment’ or ‘D.C. Insider’ career politician who are largely responsible for the scope of our national debt problem. Mica is considered to be a ‘big spender’ and he rightly caught substantial flack for supporting the High Speed Rail initiative, the Obama Stimulus-supported rail program that Florida Governor Rick Scott rejected along with the federal funds to help fund the project. Mica’s is termed out of his position as Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee at the end  of this year.

Fellow freshman Congressman Rich Nugent believes that it’s the “kiss of death” for Mica or any other 20-year incumbent who’s properly identified as part of the DC “establishment.”  Nugent also believes that Mica is likely unable to go “real negative” against Adams, and that Mica will likely have to contend with the potential nationwide anti-establishment wave of support that Adams will surely receive and embrace.