Jacksonville councilman to run for Congress

Florida Legislature draws incumbent Rep. John Mica into different district

The new Congressional districts for Northeast Florida, as passed by the 2012 Legislature and signed by Gov. Rick Scott.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida's newly minted congressional district that includes St. Johns, Flagler, Volusia and part of Putnam counties draws incumbent Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, into a different district, opening up a wide open congressional race in northeast Florida.

While the districts have already been legally challenged, candidates -- including Jacksonville City Councilman Richard Clark -- aren't waiting to jump into the race for Congressional District 6.

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Clark told Channel 4 on Monday that he never would have run against Mica, but since there is now an open seat for Congress in northeast Florida, he's received a lot of support to enter the race.

Clark, a Republican, joins Jacksonville-based attorney and former federal prosecutor Ron DeSantis, as well has Craig Miller, the former Ruth's Chris CEO who abandoned his U.S. Senate bid to run in the district.

MAP: Northeast Florida's new Congressional districts

Miller said he is moving to his beach house in Ormond Beach, and Clark says he would move from Jacksonville to St. Johns County if he is elected. DeSantis lives in Ponte Vedra Beach.

State Rep. Fred Costello, of Ormond Beach, is also talking about getting into the race, meaning there could be two candidates from the south end of the district and two from the north.

So far, the only candidates to publicly express interest in the seat are all Republicans.