WINTER PARK, Fla. — Saying she never intended her election to Congress to turn into a full-time career, U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL 7th District) announced Monday that she will not be seeking reelection to a fourth term in the House.

"I strongly believe in a citizen Congress, where ordinary citizens run for office in search of duty and service, not in search of a career," she said in a video announcing her decision. "And I never intended my time in Congress to become a career. These last few years have been some of the most rewarding moments of my life, but also some of the most challenging.

"Public service is not without personal sacrifice. And as a mom of two young children, my time away from them has been hard. So, I wanted to share with you that I will not be seeking another term as your representative in Congress. This was not an easy decision, but it was the right decision."

Murphy was first elected to represent the 7th District — which encompasses all of Seminole County and much of northern Orange County — in 2016 after defeating Rep. John Mica, the Republican incumbent who was vying for his 13th term in office.

She is the first Vietnamese-American woman to serve in Congress. 

She said her exit from Congress was not the end of her public service — Murphy plans to continue her work as chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party's Democracy and Voter Protection Program, among other things.

“Several years ago, I departed public service by leaving the Pentagon and moving to Central Florida to start my family," she said. "I knew then I wasn’t done with public service, just as I know now I am not done with public service. 

"I still have a job to do and will work just as hard this next year as I have the last five. And rest assured, after I leave office, I will continue to find ways that I can serve this great nation that has given so much to my family and me.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement after Murphy's announcement Monday:

“Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy is a valued Member of Congress, whose leadership has advanced jobs, security and opportunity in her district, for Florida and across the nation.  As an immigrant and the first Vietnamese-American woman to serve in the Congress, she has been an inspiration to young women in America.

“Congresswoman Murphy’s patriotic leadership as a former national defense expert and on the House Armed Services Committee – where she serves as Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations – has helped strengthened America’s security.  Congresswoman Murphy’s national security leadership has made her a valued member of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack.  On the powerful Ways and Means Committee, she has been a strong voice for the health and financial security of families, farmers, businesses and seniors in her community.  Following the horrific massacre at Pulse Nightclub, she and her Orlando-area colleagues have helped lead the fight to honor those who perished and prevent any other family from experiencing the anguish of gun violence.  

“I join my Congressional colleagues in wishing Congresswoman Murphy and her husband Sean and children the best as they prepare to begin their next chapter together.”

This is a developing story and more information will be posted as it becomes available.