Ayotte Trailing, Mica Ousted in Elections

As most eyes focused on the presidential race during yesterday’s elections, the majorities in both the House and Senate narrowed slightly and a few notable Republicans either lost or were in danger of losing their seats.

Rep. John Mica (R-Florida), who had steered aviation policy first as the chairman of the House aviation subcommittee and then of the full Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was unseated by Democrat challenger Stephanie Murphy in a 51.4-percent to 48.6-percent decision. Local media characterized the loss as “stunning.” Mica had served in the House since 1993.

Over the years Mica had been deeply involved in FAA reauthorization, transportation security, airport funding and an array of other issues affecting the industry. NBAA in in 2005 presented him its American Spirit Award for his support of the business aviation community and his help in the effort to relocate the association’s annual convention to Orlando in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. At the NBAA opening general session in 2012, he said, “Some people just don’t get it that business aviation is one of the great economic engines of our economy and of a free-enterprise system.” However, he hasn’t always aligned with business and general aviation. Most recently he backed Rep. Bill Shuster’s (R-Pennsylvania) independent air traffic control organization proposal.

Shuster, the current chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, meanwhile, easily won against contender Art Halvorson with 63.4 percent of the vote. Shuster narrowly beat Halvorson in the Republican primary, and had the unusual situation of facing him again after Halvorson received enough write-in votes in the Democrat primary that cleared a path for him to run as a Democrat.

As of early today, General Aviation Caucus member Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) held a 52 percent to 48 percent lead over Democrat challenger Michael Eggman in a race that had been watched as a potential Democrat pickup. But it had not yet been called.

Rick Nolan (D-Minn.), another caucus member who was potentially at risk, however, did narrowly retain his seat with 50.3 percent of the vote.

Democrats had picked up six seats with a few races yet to be decided, narrowing the Republican-held majority in the House.

In the Senate, aviation subcommittee chairman Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) trailed her opponent, Gov. Maggie Hassan, by 0.1 percent. The race early Wednesday was still too close to call. AOPA credited Ayotte as being a strong proponent of general aviation issues. Senate Commerce Committee chairman John Thune (R-S.D.), meanwhile, sailed through his race, capturing 71.8 percent of the vote. Without the Ayotte race yet called, the Democrats have picked up one seat.