Weekly Talking Points December 18, 2023
This is the final edition of Weekly Talking Points for 2023. We will resume on Monday, January 8, 2024.
CHRISTIAN ZIEGLER
At a “Special Meeting” in Orlando on December 17, the Republican Party of Florida’s Executive Committee voted to censure its disgraced Chairman Christian Ziegler as he remains under criminal investigation for rape and sexual battery. The Party stripped him of all his powers and reduced his salary to $1 — but Ziegler still refuses to resign.
TOPLINE: Christian Ziegler no longer has the authority to lead the Republican Party of Florida or serve in any position of public trust.
- Christian Ziegler is Chairman of the Florida GOP in name only and his days as the disgraced leader of the RPOF are numbered. Despite being stripped of his powers and salary, he still refuses to resign.
- Christian Ziegler remains under criminal investigation for rape and sexual battery by the Sarasota Police Department.
- The criminal allegations are serious and must be investigated fully but Christian Ziegler must also be held accountable for the hypocrisy and harm he has caused to the LGBTQ+ community.
ENERGY REBATES
Earlier this year, the governor vetoed half a billion dollars in federal grants for energy rebates from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.
TOPLINE: The latest budget shows the DeSantis administration backflipping on the decision to reject clean energy funding.
- Floridians are paying the price of Ron’s political games, leaving money on the table that would bring down household costs.
- Last week, Congressional Democrats filed a bill called the REBATE Act to allow federal or local management of energy rebate programs.
TRUMP IMMIGRATION COMMENTS
At a rally in New Hampshire on the weekend, Donald Trump repeated comments that immigrants are ‘poisoning the blood of our country’, echoing statements once made by Hitler.
TOPLINE: Donald Trump’s dangerous rhetoric should serve as a warning to all who came to America for a better life.
- Immigrants built our country and the blood of our ancestors run through us all as Americans.
- His unhinged, anti-immigrant comments are not just an attack on immigrants, they are an attack on all of us.
- If given another chance at the presidency, immigrants will not be safe in Donald Trump’s America. Donald Trump has already told us he will run the “largest deportation operation in American history“, try to gut birthright citizenship, and bring back the Muslim ban – we can’t let that happen.
Florida Democrats,
As the year draws to a close, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude once more. Since February, the remarkable efforts of our DECs, Clubs, and Caucuses have propelled our party to significant progress. Our victories in Jacksonville, the substantial shift in HD 118, along with numerous municipal victories throughout the year, stand as testament to the dedication and hard work of each of you.
Your collective efforts have played a pivotal role in advancing the cause of making Florida a better place for all. During this holiday season, I hope you find joy and warmth in the company of friends and family. When we come back in the new year, all eyes will be on HD 35 as our next opportunity to take our state back.
Our offices will be closed December 21-January 2. Thank you for your continued commitment, and wishing you a wonderful holiday season.
Nikki Fried
Chair
Florida Democratic Party
Last Week in FDP
- Chairwoman Fried was invited to the White House to attend the President’s Hannukah reception.
- While travling to Washington, D.C. Chairwoman Fried met with national partners, confirming their committment to Florida.
- FDP celebrated Chairwoman Fried’s birthday with a grassroots fundraiser and hit our goal of raising $1,300 online in one day.
- FDP Candidates and Campaigns Director Danielle Hawk hosted a workshop on qualifying by petition that trained 15 candidates. The recording will be in the candidate toolkit this week.
Take Back HD-35!
our momentum and elect Tom Keen to the Florida State House. President Joe Biden carried this seat by 5 points in 2020 and Democrats are going to Take Back HD-35 in 2024. We have less than 30 days to get out the vote and winning this seat back is going to take all of us!
HD-35 Volunteer Hub
You can join our grassroots movement to elect Tom Keen by signing up for events through our brand new Volunteer Hub! Access volunteer opportunities such as phone banks, text banks, and canvasses all in one place, with regularly updated election information.
Upcoming Events for HD-35
- Phone Banking HD-35 Democrats with VBM Ballots | Tuesday, December 19 @ 6:30 PM
- Virtual Pep Rally with FL House Dems Leader Fentrice Driskell & Tom Keen | Wednesday, December 20th @ 6 PM
A Cold Front is Coming in!
We have new gear right on time for our Florida winters!
Check out the merch store today and get your loved ones the gift of democracy this holiday season:
https://store.floridadems.org/
FDP Priority: Abortion Ballot Initiative
We have until December 31, 2023 to collect petitions for the abortion ballot initiative! You can join the Floridians for Reproductive Freedom’s Neighbor to Neighbor program and start canvassing your neighborhood immediately!
Please work with your DEC to coordinate all canvassing activity for petition collection. With Reach, you’ll be able to type in your street name in the “Search” screen of the Reach App, and you will see all of the voters on your street. From there, you can canvass as you wish.
We encourage you to knock on the doors of Democrats, NPAs, and Republican Women.
Click here to review the step-by-step process and start collecting petitions in your neighborhood!
Click here to view the Organizing Dashboard outlining all of the progress made, areas of need, and resources straight from Floridians Protecting Freedom. This should help DEC’s in priority districts hone in on their work.
Voter Registration Program Updates
Unregistered Voter Data: We are about to purchase unregistered voter data for all counties from L2. Click here to look into more information about L2, its data modeling, data dictionary, and more. This data will include, but not be limited to:
- Names
- Addresses
- Cell Phones
- Some will have email addresses
These are individuals who are not registered in Florida in all 67 counties with a specific overall partisanship score. See below and click here to look into a detailed report of L2’s National Models User Guide (Summer 2023).
- Timeline: We are working to have this data in VAN with an activist code for all DEC’s to use by January 1st, 2024 and will provide an update once it is available in VAN
- Guidance: We are developing a guidance document for everyone for these VAN targets.
- Questions: Please direct any questions regarding this data set to Kris, our Voter Registration Director: kris@floridadems.org
DNC’s Unregistered Households Data: The DNC is in the process of uploading this data into our VAN and we will share notice and guidance for when it is available in the next few weeks.
Field Team 6 Partnership: We are working with the Florida Data Directors Council to partner with Field Team 6. Field Team 6 is national organization helping states reach out to unregistered voters in key states including Florida. We will be partnering with them to augment our Voter Registration Program by providing phone banks and text banks with their unregistered voter data. We will also layer in our purchased data to maximize our efforts. Visit their website to learn more about them and their free services that they’ve been able to give other states to register voters: www.fieldteam6.org. We’re excited to start this work with them with Senate District 3.
Chairs Community Champion – To Launch January 2024
Nominations are open for the 2024 Chair’s Community Champion Award! Entries will be reviewed on a rolling monthly basis. Monthly in 2024, the Chair’s award will recognize community leaders and/or active volunteers, honoring individuals who focus on celebrating unsung heroes serving our party and making significant contributions to their communities.
Examples include but are not limited to:
- Exemplifies the Democratic Values: Showcases vital leadership qualities, even in the absence of formal titles or roles, including modeling excellence, valuing the perspectives and input of others, being open to criticism and dialogue, and being an exemplary advocate for community service and engagement.
- Demonstrates the insight and courage to collaborate across lines that usually divide people.
- Impact: Widely connected with concrete examples of lasting influence on the community.
- Knowledge sharing: Makes resources that are free and available to the community.
- Mentorship and coaching: Actively mentors/coaches others in building their skills and supports others at all levels.
- Connects communities: Brings together communities. Helps to create connections that otherwise wouldn’t have happened.
Note: This individual does not have to be a member/volunteer of your DEC, Club, Caucus, or Elected. We’re looking for everyday people helping within your community.
For additional nomination criteria, please review the nomination form below.
FDP 12 Days of Service Update
Democrats across the state have been hard at work giving back to their communities as part of our 12 Days of Service initiative. If you’ve been giving back to your community, please let us know so we can uplift your hard work on social media!
The Escambia Democratic Party Collected toiletries to assemble and provide kits which included toilet paper, socks, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, deodorant, shampoo, mouthwash, and floss to 200 unhoused citizens of Escambia County. Those kits were then distributed with meals provided by Epps Christian Center.
Last weekend, volunteers with the Trinity Democratic Club in Pasco County worked to clean up litter and debris on Trinity Blvd.
Okaloosa DBC / Environmental Caucus/ DEC and local Dems
This was a wonderful opportunity to remind them how important they are, and that Democrats are a part of our community. We recognize their service and sacrifice, support them, and care!
Hillsborough County DEC
The DEC served a hot, nutritious meal to our neighbors in need at Trinity Café. We assumed the restaurant “wait staff” role, including serving tables, bussing tables, hosting tables, and other restaurant tasks. We served a hot meal and offered conversation and season’s greetings.
DWC Marco – Collier County
The DWC Marco collected $1870 for FPF and collected toys for Al’s Pals. Al’s Pals is the local food bank on Marco Island. The toys will be distributed to the families on Marco Island that frequent the food bank.
Collier County Democratic Club
Collected $550 for “Rural Neighborhood” that will provide gift cards to children in Immokalee.
If you and/or your team are planning a Day of Service event, please let us know by submitting this Form: Click Here.