NEW YORK — Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.) is endorsing Mike Bloomberg’s unconventional bid for president, telling POLITICO on Thursday that she believes his organization and resources best position him to beat Donald Trump in the fall.

Murphy — Bloomberg’s second congressional endorsement, and the first from outside New York — also cited the billionaire self-funder’s commitment to advancing gun control measures across the country.


“The work that Mayor Bloomberg has done through Everytown has been critical in allowing us to notch some of the legislative wins,” Murphy said on Thursday, referring to the Everytown for Gun Safety nonprofit that Bloomberg founded. “And I think Mayor Bloomberg, whether it is as an executive or as mayor or as a philanthropist, is focused on achieving results. And I believe this country needs that approach.”

Bloomberg’s campaign is staffing up big in Florida and sees the state — with its large population of New York expats and Jewish Americans — as a top target as part of its unprecedented strategy to compete in states that start voting on Super Tuesday.

Michael Bloomberg.

Murphy co-chairs the Blue Dog Coalition, which prioritizes fiscal restraint and national defense. She will serve as a national co-chairwoman for the Bloomberg campaign, which this week launched its “Women for Mike” effort with a big New York reception near Times Square.

“In order to win Florida you need message and machine, and I think that Mayor Bloomberg has both,” she said. “He is already making commitments to building that machine there, and I think that is critical.”


Murphy is Bloomberg’s second congressional endorsement this week, after Rep. Max Rose (D-N.Y.), whose backing was notable in part because the former New York mayor had previously donated to Rose’s opponent, then-Rep. Dan Donovan, during the GOP primary for that seat.

In a statement, Bloomberg lauded Murphy as someone who understands that dysfunction in Washington is holding the country back — as well as her own push for more gun control measures following a 2016 mass shooting in Florida that killed 49 people and wounded dozens more.

“We share a vision for breaking the gridlock in Congress, ensuring the safety of all Americans and giving them a larger voice in our future,” Bloomberg said. “After the Pulse nightclub shooting, she ran for office to bring change to Washington, including common sense gun laws — and as president, I will work closely with her to get it done.”