Florida
Democrats Like Their Chances in South Florida After Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Bows Out
With U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., bowing out of Congress, Democrats are hopeful about flipping her South Florida seat. Despite having easily kept her seat during more than a quarter of a century in Congress, Ros-Lehtinen was already drawing attacks from the Democrats who insist her seat is growing more competitive. The Florida Democratic Party also weighed in on Sunday. “It’s not surprising that moderate Republicans are retiring as their party no longer represents American families, but a Trump-style political platform that is divisive and only benefits the politically connected or the very wealthy,” said Johanna Cervone, a spokeswoman for the Florida Democrats. Cervone also pointed to the special election for an open Florida Senate seat in Miami Dade as an opportunity for Democrats. “In the upcoming special elections and on into the 2018 general elections, Democrats are looking forward to a massive turnover in Congress. We are putting forth candidates that will present a better way forward in which a prosperous America means prosperity and good jobs for all of us. Democrats will resist Trump’s Republican Party, their secret backroom deals and will stand against Republican plans to build an American economy that only benefits those at the very top.”
Joe Biden to headline Florida Dems Leadership Gala
The Florida Democratic Party has announced that former Vice President Joe Biden will be the Keynote Speaker at it’s Florida Blue Leadership Gala that will take place on June 17th in Hollywood, Florida. “We are thrilled to announce the former Vice President as our keynote speaker.” said Florida Democratic Party Chair Stephen Bittel “Joe Biden has spent his life in public service and has fought tirelessly for the Democratic belief that all Americans deserve an equal shot in our economy, not just those at the top. We are excited to welcome him back to Florida for our Leadership Blue Gala.” Biden will roll into the state this summer as Florida Democrats ramp up recruiting efforts for multiple state wide mid term races for the 2018 mid terms where Republicans have dominated so far this decade winning the Governor’s mansion and every cabinet position in both 2014 and 2010.
North Carolina
Democratic Women of North Carolina held their Region 9 meeting
On Saturday, April 29, the Democratic Women of North Carolina held their Region 9 meeting in Warsaw. Region 9 consists of Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, Duplin, New Hanover, Pender, Robeson, and Sampson counties. Each county has a chapter of Democratic Women of N.C., and all nine chapters sent delegates to the regional meeting. The president of each county chapter was recognized, and the Pender County Chapter was recognized as the newest chapter in the state and was awarded the attendance banner for having the most members in attendance at the meeting. The special guest speaker was North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall. Secretary Marshall’s speech was about the theme of the meeting- Democratic Women are the Life of the Party. She spoke about the vital role of women in the Democratic Party and urged all women to become involved in organizing for the party, to raise our voices for issues of importance to women and their families, and to work to elect candidates who share our democratic values.
Rhode Island
Young RI Dems Help Georgia Democratic Candidate Ahead Of June Runoff Election
Some local Democrats are throwing their support behind Georgia Democrat Jon Ossoff. Ossoff, a political newcomer, faces what will likely be a tight runoff election for Georgia’s 6th District congressional seat. Members of the Young Democrats of Rhode Island and College Democrats of Rhode Island will gather to make calls in support of Ossoff this Monday. Spokeswoman for the State Democratic Party, Ann Gooding, said young people in Rhode Island are getting more involved in politics following the 2016 presidential election. “As with the population as a whole, there has been a tremendous resurgence of grassroots interest post- presidential election,” said Gooding.
South Carolina
Aiken's Lessie Price elected first vice chair of S.C. Democratic Party
Aiken's Lessie Price has been elected to serve as first vice chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party. Price, a longtime member of Aiken City Council, was elected to the position at the state party's convention over the weekend in Columbia. "I am honored to be entrusted with this responsibility," Price said. "We've got a lot of work to do in South Carolina to put Democrats in positions to win. As the first woman elected to a citywide council seat in Aiken, I know a few things about earning votes. I'm excited to put that experience to work for Democrats throughout South Carolina." Price has been a member of City Council for nearly three decades and has served as the Council's mayor pro tempore and as president of the Municipal Association of South Carolina, according to a statement issued by the Democratic Party.
Texas
Pasadena, a voting rights battleground, prepares for pivotal elections
When voters head to the polls here Saturday, their city council and mayoral picks could have repercussions well beyond this working-class Houston suburb. It will be the first election since a federal judge struck down the city's 2013 redistricting plan as discriminatory, paving the way for a new balance of power at City Hall. It comes as Texas Democrats redouble their efforts on the local level after a 2016 election that gave them ample reason to be optimistic about their future, especially in Harris County. And it could offer a gauge of just how far down the ballot President Donald Trump, unpopular in even a deep-red state like Texas, is energizing Democrats. The Texas Democratic Party has endorsed five city council candidates in Pasadena — more than it has endorsed in any other municipality for the May 6 elections. Other Democratic groups are on the ground in the city, including Battleground Texas, which has been working to make the state more competitive for Democrats since the 2014 election cycle. |
