Interesting developments in the 7th Congressional district, where incumbent Republican Congressman John Mica is facing a challenge from Democrat Heather Beaven. From his perch on the the House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Mica said in a hearing on Wednesday that the Obama administration is to blame for oil spill in the Gulf. Mica said the administration had no plan for a spill and should have pushed for more regulation. Mica even labeled it “the Obama oil spill.”

Beaven quickly blasted Mica. “I find it ironic that John Mica attempted to blame the oil spill on the president when it was Mica who has taken over $60,000 from Big Oil since he was elected to Congress in 1992,” she said.

“John Mica has clearly forgotten about who he is supposed to represent and compounded an environmental tragedy with one of the most moronic notions we’ve seen come out of Washington in some time,” added Beaven.

Beaven, a Navy veteran who lives in Flagler County, has already far outpaced the fundraising efforts of other Democratic challengers to Mica, though her war chest is nowhere near the size of the incumbent’s. She is a decided underdog but is clearly willing to offer Mica a fight.