I arrived in Jacksonville, Florida, after living nearly 30 years in the UK. The lure of the sun, the beach and other personal factors made it seem like the right place.
Mostly I am right. The beach is world class, the mosquitos are, thus far, disease free (in spite of the climate change denying odious Governor) and the local schools are pretty good (despite what my Northern family proclaims). People are friendly — that is until you let it slip that you are a Democrat. Actually, I wear it proudly. Proudly a Democrat as I didn’t know it was a secret.
There are lots of Democrats in NE Florida and we are of all stripe and creed. Yet we lurk in the shadows, afraid to come out and question the cult of the Republican Party which has made its home in the city. I have seen outrageous intimidation from family, ‘friends’ and neighbors towards people who are prepared to stand up as a Democrat. So much for the values and freedom that we proclaim to hold dear. I have heard about cars with Liberal and Democrat bumper stickers being vandalized by ignorant fools who vote ‘Republican’ although the party has morphed in to something beyond recognition.
But this election year is topsy-turvy. Districts have been redrawn. The Congressional incumbent (a Republican, I have no opinion of him other than it seems like he just couldn’t take the crazy any more) decided not to run. The local Repugnican establishment was ready with a candidate to assume the position. Money was already in the bank. However, the rest of the field must have missed the Coronation Memo and loads of them threw their hat in to the ring. There was a scrum and a pie fight!
The assumption is that this is a Republican stronghold is a foregone conclusion. However, Democrats, Independents and other non-Republicans are the majority.
We were about to have a closed primary election for Congress. Most of us were left without a vote, disenfranchised and subject to the abuse of the write-in candidate ploy. Not to mention the crazy of the primary electorate.
Enter Dave Bruderly, Democrat.
Dave put his money on the table and at the 11th hour, became the only Democrat to enter the race. He scrambled together a brigade of volunteers and we work to expand our base, get his name out there and show the ‘Bruderly-love’.
Dave is a progressive in businessman’s attire. He is a green energy expert and a steward of the environment. As an environmental engineer, he believes in science and has spent his life developing real solutions to combat green house gasses and climate change. He is the only veteran in our race. He is passionate as well as knowledgeable about the military and veterans rights. He has been endorsed by Democratic Veteran’s Caucus of Florida. He has always supported equal rights, a woman’s right to chose and has been endorsed by National Organization for Women. Check him out.
Here’s the thing: This is an open seat in a new district. Dave is relatively new to the district. The other side has better name recognition in their ex-sheriff candidate who is a single-issue guy. They have an unpalatable revolting egomaniac at the top of the ticket. We have the most qualified person since Thomas Jefferson at the top of our ticket. This is a once in a generation opportunity to change the game and a chance to create a balance in NE Florida that reflects the population.
As a Democrat, we need Dave in Congress. As a person with rational thought, we need more people like Dave in Congress.
I am asking for national recognition for a brave fight, perhaps against the odds, but certainly with passion and rightness on our side. We can have a Congress that supports our progressive platform. We can win this thing, here in our little area of our big state, but we do need outside help. There is less than 65 days until voting begins. A lot can be accomplished. So here’s the ASK. Dig deep and send your donations to Dave Bruderly.
