Dear Democrats,
After just one month on the job, I’m more confident than ever that we can build a successful Florida Democratic Party capable of winning elections at all levels. The recent results in Jacksonville were incredibly encouraging, with Democrats throughout Duval advancing to runoffs or winning outright. We must now focus on supporting all of our Democratic candidates, including Donna Degan, who is running for Mayor of Jacksonville, and Joyce Morgan running for Duval Property Appraiser. We will be sending out information on ways you can help ensure that our Democrats turn out in full force and win in May.
This past week has been challenging for our Democratic legislators. They have had to face some truly horrific bills that would harm Floridians, ranging from abortion bans to repealing gun laws that were passed after the tragic Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting. Sadly, it seems that Republican legislators will stop at nothing to appease Governor DeSantis so he can appeal to future primary voters, regardless of the consequences for women, public education, and the LGBTQ+ community. It’s crucial that we continue showing our Democratic legislators support while we rebuild the party so that we can elect more Democrats and put a stop to these attacks on our values.
I am confident that with your unwavering dedication and the team we will build together, we can usher in a new day in Florida.
Forward,
Nikki FriedChairFlorida Democratic Party
Legislative Call to Action
In the Senate
Tuesday, March 28
SB 300 6-Week Abortion Ban will be heard at 8:30am in Fiscal Policy Committee – Take Action
Chair’s Travels
Thank you to our interfaith leaders for kickstarting our weekend by organizing an hour of prayer and unity.
If you would like to join the faith-based leadership coalition, please reach out to partyaffairs@floridadems.org.
Thank you to our interfaith leaders for kickstarting our weekend by organizing an hour of prayer and unity.
If you would like to join the faith-based leadership coalition, please reach out to partyaffairs@floridadems.org.
I was excited to join Hillsborough County DEC and the Hillsborough LGBTQ+ Caucus for Tampa Pride on Saturday! Together we will continue fighting for equality.
From the Softball Diamond
On Wednesday, I attended the Democrat v. Republican annual Softball game at JoAnne Graf Feild at Florida State University. I joined our First Vice Chair Judy Mount in cheering on our Democratic House and Senate members as they took the field. Our members battled the Republicans for 5 innings but came up just short of a come from behind win. Despite the tough loss, our team had one shining star that lit up the night sky with his phenomenal performance – the one and only Representative Campbell. This MVP of the game wowed the crowds with not just one, but two magnificent over-the-fence homeruns that sent the stadium into a frenzy. But that’s not all, Representative Campbell also exhibited his exceptional fielding skills, making multiple plays that kept the Democrats within striking distance throughout the game.
Chair’s Appointments
I was thrilled to appoint these members of the Rules Committee this past week. Congratulations to all members and I look forward to working with all of you.
Chair Tracey Kagan, Seminole
Members:
Joe Adams, Citrus
Richard (Rick) Boylan, Pinellas
Marc Burton, Miami-Dade
Grace Carrington, Broward
Emma Collum, Broward
Marvin Diamond, Collier
Ben Diamond, Pinellas
Lourdes Diaz, Broward
Deborah Gale, Osceola
Joe Geller, Miami-Dade
Daniel Henry, Duval
Samantha Herring, Walton
Elijah Hooks, Washington
Marcus Klebe, Hillsborough
Vivian Lyte-Johnson, Orange
John McGovern, Palm Beach
Allison Miller, Pinellas
Patrick O’Bryant, Leon
Karen Persis, Orange
Stacey Peters, Levy
Craig Smith, Broward
Stephanie Vanos, Orange
Janet Varnell, Pinellas
Camara Williams, Orange
Municipal Update
Congratulations to Duval Democrats on their hardfought campaigns!
Win: Ju’Coby Pittman, City Council District 10
Advanced to Runoff:
Donna Deegan, Mayor of Jacksonville
Joyce Morgan, Duval Property Appraiser
Charles Garrison, City Council at Large Group 5
Jimmy Peluso, City Council District 7
Reggie Gaffney Jr., City Council District 8
Tameka Gaines Holly, City Council District 8
Tyrona Clark-Murray, City Council District 9
Ramon Day, City Council District 11
Rahman Johnson, City Council District 14
Upcoming Elections
April 4
Plant City
Miami Springs
Bal Harbor
April 11
Orange Park
New Port Richey
City of Port Richey
City San Antonio
Town of St. Leo
City of Zephyrhills
City of Alachua
Newberry
Miami Shores
Coral Gables
Annual DEC Compliance
We kindly remind you that in order to maintain compliance with Florida Statutes and FDP Bylaws, your DEC needs to submit documents to both your county Supervisor of Elections (SOE) office and the Florida Democratic Party. Everyone should have already turned in a completed a list of your local DEC Officers, Membership Roster, and Current Bylaws. If you have not submitted that information, please do so ASAP.Below is a list of due dates for the rest of the compliance documents to be submitted to FDP. Please email partyaffairs@floridadems.org if you have any questions.
March 31, 2023:Â Your County Democratic Executive Committee EIN Number.*Note: We are going to compile a spreadsheet with the EIN numbers from all the DECs in case they are lost or forgotten. If you do not know your number, we will help you obtain that information.
April 1, 2023:Â Audit of DEC income and expenses for the previous year.
April 1, 2023: Remit 20% of clubs’ annual Party contribution to FDP, 201 S. Monroe St., Suite 300, Tallahassee, FL 32301 with “Club Party Contribution” noted in the memo field.
April 10, 2023; July 10, 2023; October 10, 2023; and January 10, 2024; and the Friday immediately proceeding each election: Financial reports of all contributions received, including in-kind contributions, and all expenditures made during the previous quarter. Please contact your SOE to inquire about your county’s specific submission process.
A huge shoutout to the Collier, Bradford, Charlotte, Hillsborough, Lee, Martin, Monroe, St. Lucie, Sumter, Manatee, Jackson, and Okeechobee DECs for sending in all the required compliance documents early.
Vote-by-Mail
Vote-by-Mail
As we approach more municipal elections and draw closer to the 2024 campaign cycle, it is crucial that we prioritize the collection of Vote-by-Mail applications. Sadly, Republican voter suppression tactics have resulted in the disenfranchisement of numerous Floridians who would have otherwise been eligible to receive a Vote by Mail ballot. I urge everyone to take action by making phone calls, canvassing, and texting fellow Democrats to encourage them to reenroll in Vote-by-Mail. Voters can check their Vote by Mail status on our website here.
FDP is Hiring
FDP is hiring a Finance Director and Communications Director. Job descriptions and applications can be found here. We also have a resume bank open for those interested in other positions once they become available.
Chair’s Challenge
Competing and winning demand resources, and I am proud to announce the launch of our Chair’s Challenge. You can join the chair’s monthly challenge by becoming a recurring donor to FDP. Every time I speak with a group, I urge Democrats from Florida and across the country to donate a small amount each month. With just $5 a month, you can help fund our party infrastructure, focus on long-term mobilization efforts, and revitalize our grassroots movement.Â
Click Here to Join the Challenge!
FDP Communications
This week, our communications team continued to call out and fact-check Ron DeSantis, Rick Scott, and state Republican legislators as they continue to push the governor’s fascist agenda, including; fast-tracking an extreme abortion ban that would ban abortion after six weeks, introducing an amendment to the House’s permitless concealed carry bill to allow for open carry in the state, and quietly signing legislation aimed at helping shield insurance companies from lawsuits, even as the property insurance crisis in the state worsens. As the nation commemorated the 13th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act’s passage, we released fact checks of Ron DeSantis and Rick Scott’s staunch opposition to expanding access to affordable health insurance through the ACA and Medicaid expansion. Lastly, we celebrated this week’s Jacksonville Municipal election wins and vowed to get to work to elect the Democratic candidates in the May 16th Runoff election.
FDP News Digest
You can find the latest news clips covering the Florida Democratic Party and Legislative Session below:
Bill to eliminate unanimous jury requirement for death penalty moves to Florida Senate
DeSantis opposes more aid in Ukraine. Zelensky says that’s short-sighted.
Jim goes one-on-one with the newly elected chair of the Florida Democratic Party.
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