Dear Florida Democrats,
Last November, the Florida Democratic Party reversed a twenty-four year slide in the State House, picking up seven Republican-held seats in the Florida House. This was the largest gain for Florida Democrats since 1972 and the sixth largest gain in the nation.
We can add another Democrat to the State House - in just one month. Can you contribute to the next State Representative from District 49, Democrat Darren Soto? Let's raise $10,000 this weekend to kick off the general election right!
The Republicans won this seat in 2002 and used their incumbent as the poster child for Puerto Rican outreach during President Bush's re-election.
In 2006, the Florida Democratic Party fought back, winning over the state's Hispanic voters for the first time since 1976. Now we can take this seat back.
Can you contribute to his campaign today? Learn more about him at www.darrensoto.com.
The Orlando Sentinel offered a resounding endorsement of Soto in the primary, describing him as possessing "the vision and knowledge needed for success... A civil-rights attorney who has argued cases in federal court both here and in Puerto Rico, he would be a strong advocate in Tallahassee... Mr. Soto's knowledge of the district and its needs separates him from the crowd."
The Sentinel also wrote: "Word is that Republicans are nervous about... Democrat Darren Soto... Soto, who is smart, affable and enthusiastic, seems to have momentum..."
Soto does have momentum; however, to get to Tallahassee, he must first defeat frequent candidate and political opportunist Tony Suarez, who switched parties after getting elected to the State House as a Democrat in the 1990s. We can count on the Republican Party to spend hundreds of thousands to protect their party-switcher as they did with Sheri McInvale (whom now-State Rep. Scott Randolph crushed by 22 points in 2006!).
We can do this. We can raise the funds necessary to win. Can you help? Please contribute directly to Darren Soto's campaign today.
Every formerly Republican seat we win expands the playing field - and improves our chances of winning - in 2008. We know we have to grow to win. This is an opportunity we cannot miss.
Join me today by committing to help us win. Please help us raise $10,000 for Darren Soto this weekend. Contribute now!
And finally, please forward this message to your friends in Florida and around the country. These elections are crucial, and every contribution, no matter how small, helps.
Thank you for reading.
Sincerely,
Congresswoman Karen L. Thurman
Chair, Florida Democratic Party