OCALA - As Congress prepares to convene for the President's State of the Union speech, one member took time to meet the constituents of his new district. 

 

Representative Richard Nugent met with residents of District 11 on Monday evening, which covers most of Marion County. The congressman was in the area to open up his new office location in Ocala, which previously served as Cliff Stearns' office.

 

As Congress begins to get to work on a number of key issues facing the country, Nugent says he is most worried about the looming sequester cuts, which the congressman says could potentially hurt a number of small defense contractors in his district.

 

Several Marion County commissioners were spotted at the meet-and-greet, as well as Ocala's mayor. Nugent previously represented District 5, but now serves District 11 following last year's redistricting.