Calling All Bloggers: Join Us for Lunch At the J-J in June
The Party is excited to hold its first ever face-to-face meeting of Netroots activists during our annual Jefferson Jackson Weekend. The lunch discussion will be held from 12:00-2:00 PM on Saturday, June 9 at the Westin Diplomat Resort in Hollywood, FL. We encourage attendance at what will undoubtedly become an important Democratic tradition in Florida politics. Tickets are $50 (to cover costs), and the event is open to all. Attendees must RSVP to pperry@fladems.com by June 1 or purchase ticket online at http://www.fladems.com/...
More news below:
Florida Democratic Party Sends Condolences to Victims of Wildfires
Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by the wildfires that have been ravaging the state. We encourage Floridians everywhere to join us in offering prayer and support to those families in need.
Democrats Enter Special Elections for House, Senate
Republicans have vacated seats in North Central Florida, resulting in three special elections for the Legislature in June. Democrats qualified to run in two of the races. In House District #43 (Citrus and parts of Hernando and Levy Counties), Inverness City Council president Sophia Diaz-Fonseca and Sugarmill Woods Democratic activist Patricia Kittleman kicked off campaigns. In Senate District 3 (All or parts of 13 North Central counties), Suzan Franks of Hernando and the Party’s Disability Caucus President Mark Ravenscraft of Tallahassee are running. The special primary will be held June 5, and the general election is June 26.
"Do-Nothing Dave" Weldon Attacks Youthful Members of His Constituency
Last week, the office of Republican Congressman "Do-Nothing Dave" Weldon (R-15th) responded to a letter to the editor in the Vero Press Journal with a vain attack on youthful members of his constituency. The Indian River Young Democrats have chronicled the back-and-forth at http://www.ircyd.org/... and included a petition demanding an apology. The blatant false rhetoric, distortion of the truth and personal attacks against a truthful messenger may not be a surprise coming from this particular Republican, but they remind us once again why it is high time to replace Do-Nothing Dave in Congress. Find out more about Weldon’s weak record at http://www.fladems.com/...
Congressman Meek, Speaker Pelosi, Hold Talks with Haitian President Rene Préval
Last Thursday, Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-17th) held a private meeting with Haitian President René Préval to speak about Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian refugees already in the United States. The two attended a meeting with Speaker Pelosi and bipartisan congressional leaders later that day. As a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Meek continues to pursue new incentives for foreign investment in Haiti. Meek recently wrote a letter with Ways and Means Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) addressed to heads of multilateral lending institutions, such as the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank, seeking their assistance in facilitating the implementation of the HOPE Act. "I believe the government is in place," Meek said. "I’m very excited about the level of democracy that they have right now, and I’ve encouraged President Préval to come back again."
"One Victory to Celebrate" – Herald Tribune Praises Christine Jennings
Former Sarasota Herald-Tribune editor Waldo Proffitt wrote in Sunday’s paper: "Let us take a few minutes to enjoy one not-so-small victory in the eternal struggle to preserve our freedoms... [Christine] Jennings has persevered in the face of a heap of criticism... I say: Good for her. She kept the state and nation paying attention to the hazards of touch-screens." In response, Jennings said, "Our message is being heard. From day one, this fight has been about more than who won or lost a single election – it’s about fixing a broken system. We’ve succeeded in passing meaningful reforms in Florida, and I’m hopeful that Congress will soon follow."
Mel Martinez Unable to Hide from Corruption
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a national watchdog group, filed a major Federal Elections Commission complaint against U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL) because of hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal contributions he received during his dirty 2004 Senate campaign. "The violations committed by Martinez for Senate are unprecedented in both size and scope" said Melanie Sloan, the group’s executive director. "Basically, Mel Martinez broke the law in order to win an election. Now, years later, he is a sitting senator and the chairman of the Republican National Committee. A failure by the FEC to severely sanction the Martinez for Senate campaign committee will demonstrate that violating the law pays."
Feeney’s Full of It: Scandalous Abramoff Saga’s Florida Storyline
What do a vacation in Scotland, golf at some of the world’s most famous courses, dining on multi-course gourmet meals and staying in luxury accommodations at a lobbyist’s expense all have in common? Republican Congressman Tom Feeney considers all of them part of his job. "Representing" Florida’s 24th district, Feeney is ranked one of the 20 Most Corrupt Members of Congress. Help us keep the pressure on corrupt Republicans like him by writing a letter to the editor today. This scandal is not over. Stay up to date at http://www.FeeneysFullofIt.com.
Dem Constituencies Hold Conventions This Weekend in Jax, Sarasota, Gainesville
The GLBT Democratic Caucus holds its 2007 Convention "The Sum(mit) of All of Us: The GLBT Community Reaches Out" this weekend at the Lido Beach Resort in Sarasota. For more information, please visit http://www.floridaglbtdemocrats.org/...
The Democratic Black Caucus holds its 2007 Convention "Democrats Attaining Self Empowerment through the Black Caucus Experience" Friday and Saturday at the Holiday Inn Airport in Jacksonville. For more information, please visit http://www.democraticblackcaucusfl.o...
The Small County Coalition holds its convention at Sante Fe Community College this Saturday and Sunday in Gainesville. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Nassau County’s Linda Spencer, Vice Chair of the Small County Coalition, via email JLCSpencer1@aol.com or by phone 904-845-4646.
Sign Up for DFA Training in Tampa June 30-July 1
The 2008 Presidential race is already beginning to take shape, and the Democratic for America Training Academy will prepare you to elect Democrats up and down the ballot. At the DFA Training Academy, experienced campaign professionals will cover practical strategies and tactics including communications, fundraising, voter targeting, online organizing, and building a sustainable grassroots movement. The Party will be providing more information on this great training soon. You can sign up at
http://www.dfalink.com/...
Speaker Pelosi to Headline J-J Dinner, June 9th! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!
Check out the new Jefferson-Jackson Weekend website at www.fladems.com/jj. We are honored to have U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi headlining our annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, to be held June 9 at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, FL. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased online or by calling 850-222-3411.
Become a Delegate to the 2007 Florida Democratic Party State Convention
Visit www.fladems.com/stateconvention to learn more about how you can become a delegate and join us for the Party’s 2007 Convention, Oct. 26-28, 2007, at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort.