Jess - Thank you so much for highlighting the FL District 6 race and Josh Weil, our area Dem candidate!
Coincidentally, 2 campaign staffers for Josh spoke at our SE Volusia Democratic Club (central east coast) meeting on Thursday: Gabrielle Adekunle and Gavin Cox. They were incredible spokespeople, addressing the issues differentiating Josh from his opponent with effective talking points and a compelling call to volunteer (or donate!). Both Gavin are Gabrielle are on the Board of the Volusia Young Democrats, the rising next-generation leadership of Democratic politics in Florida. Our club is in the neighboring district to Josh, yet our members know that we need to pitch in to make his election a success. It's an uphill battle in Florida, but we have our mountain-climbing gear on and ready to go!
Thanks to changes made in 2023 to the Florida Democratic Party's bylaws, we Florida Democrats held democratic (small d) elections on January 25th. Prior to the changes, the elections did not include a full and fair discussion of the issues among candidates and those of us voting. This time, there was a complete turnaround.
I am explaining this to fellow Floridians and to those who have been dismayed about our state devolving into a Republican supermajority, having always been a "purple" state.
State Committee men and women are elected by their county party and constitute the people who vote in the FDP elections. Prior to the change, voting took place by the "weighted vote", meaning that a few individuals in large blue counties were the deciders in these elections. There was no need, then, for elected officers to do much campaigning.
This time, candidates called, texted and emailed voters, campaigning for their respective position. That meant that we engaged in full discussion of what needs to be changed to overcome the right-wing supermajority in the state legislature and to compete in federal elections.
Nikki Fried was reelected as FDP Chair, allowing her to continue changes in the administration of the party that she started two years ago. New people were elected to Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer positions. We elected 11 DNC members who would go on to vote in the DNC election that just took place. The new members were diverse, several outstanding young Democrats.
It was not just the results of the election that was encouraging, but the process, which as I said, was democratic. It meant that Chair Fried campaigned, and in the process, outlined what she has done, why, and her plans for the future. She discussed the challenges that she faces advocating for Florida in national Democratic venues. Candidates to become DNC members also discussed how they would advocate for Florida in that arena.
The phone calls with candidates were eye-opening, as it meant those of us in smaller counties learned about the challenges people face in larger counties, and vice-versa. At the election, those of us voting shared our ideas about what needs to change, and how to accomplish it, as we decided who would best accomplish. We all came away with new information and energized.
I am energized, because the changes to FDP leadership, plus the reelection of Chair Fried has given me reason to believe that the FDP will support activities meant to engage with alienated Democrats and with non-voters who should be voting with us. Those are the activities that I have always felt are missing, and a reason that in Florida, and in the U.S., we have weakened.
I just started my own "newsletter" on Substack, it is free to become a member. I would like to use it as a way to share these discussions with other like-minded Florida Democrats. I will post as often as I can and hopefully the discussion will catch on and others will use the ideas to develop their own activities.
On March 1st, in Collier County, (where Naples is) we will hold a full day Environmental Roundtable. It is a first, and I expect the will be some "kerfuffles". We will go back, use feedback from participants and each other, and make changes for the next time.
Those present will discuss how climate change and pollution has affected their lives, and how candidates and those holding office should address these. This is put on by all four Collier County Democratic organizations. The lead organization is the Collier County Chapter of the Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida, (CCDECF) working with the state organization, (DECF) I am President of our Chapter, and Vice President of the state organization.
But..... participants and panelists will be Democrats, Independents, and Republicans. And we will begin the process of recruiting local candidates to run in 2026 elections who will address our environmental issues. There is an appetite to challenge the stranglehold that the extreme right wing has on our local government.
If anyone would like to be able to attend via Zoom, particularly if you live in Florida, let me know and I will send you the Zoom link.
Jess - Thank you so much for highlighting the FL District 6 race and Josh Weil, our area Dem candidate!
Coincidentally, 2 campaign staffers for Josh spoke at our SE Volusia Democratic Club (central east coast) meeting on Thursday: Gabrielle Adekunle and Gavin Cox. They were incredible spokespeople, addressing the issues differentiating Josh from his opponent with effective talking points and a compelling call to volunteer (or donate!). Both Gavin are Gabrielle are on the Board of the Volusia Young Democrats, the rising next-generation leadership of Democratic politics in Florida. Our club is in the neighboring district to Josh, yet our members know that we need to pitch in to make his election a success. It's an uphill battle in Florida, but we have our mountain-climbing gear on and ready to go!
Thanks to changes made in 2023 to the Florida Democratic Party's bylaws, we Florida Democrats held democratic (small d) elections on January 25th. Prior to the changes, the elections did not include a full and fair discussion of the issues among candidates and those of us voting. This time, there was a complete turnaround.
I am explaining this to fellow Floridians and to those who have been dismayed about our state devolving into a Republican supermajority, having always been a "purple" state.
State Committee men and women are elected by their county party and constitute the people who vote in the FDP elections. Prior to the change, voting took place by the "weighted vote", meaning that a few individuals in large blue counties were the deciders in these elections. There was no need, then, for elected officers to do much campaigning.
This time, candidates called, texted and emailed voters, campaigning for their respective position. That meant that we engaged in full discussion of what needs to be changed to overcome the right-wing supermajority in the state legislature and to compete in federal elections.
Nikki Fried was reelected as FDP Chair, allowing her to continue changes in the administration of the party that she started two years ago. New people were elected to Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer positions. We elected 11 DNC members who would go on to vote in the DNC election that just took place. The new members were diverse, several outstanding young Democrats.
It was not just the results of the election that was encouraging, but the process, which as I said, was democratic. It meant that Chair Fried campaigned, and in the process, outlined what she has done, why, and her plans for the future. She discussed the challenges that she faces advocating for Florida in national Democratic venues. Candidates to become DNC members also discussed how they would advocate for Florida in that arena.
The phone calls with candidates were eye-opening, as it meant those of us in smaller counties learned about the challenges people face in larger counties, and vice-versa. At the election, those of us voting shared our ideas about what needs to change, and how to accomplish it, as we decided who would best accomplish. We all came away with new information and energized.
I am energized, because the changes to FDP leadership, plus the reelection of Chair Fried has given me reason to believe that the FDP will support activities meant to engage with alienated Democrats and with non-voters who should be voting with us. Those are the activities that I have always felt are missing, and a reason that in Florida, and in the U.S., we have weakened.
I just started my own "newsletter" on Substack, it is free to become a member. I would like to use it as a way to share these discussions with other like-minded Florida Democrats. I will post as often as I can and hopefully the discussion will catch on and others will use the ideas to develop their own activities.
On March 1st, in Collier County, (where Naples is) we will hold a full day Environmental Roundtable. It is a first, and I expect the will be some "kerfuffles". We will go back, use feedback from participants and each other, and make changes for the next time.
Those present will discuss how climate change and pollution has affected their lives, and how candidates and those holding office should address these. This is put on by all four Collier County Democratic organizations. The lead organization is the Collier County Chapter of the Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida, (CCDECF) working with the state organization, (DECF) I am President of our Chapter, and Vice President of the state organization.
But..... participants and panelists will be Democrats, Independents, and Republicans. And we will begin the process of recruiting local candidates to run in 2026 elections who will address our environmental issues. There is an appetite to challenge the stranglehold that the extreme right wing has on our local government.
If anyone would like to be able to attend via Zoom, particularly if you live in Florida, let me know and I will send you the Zoom link.
super important and thank you. It will be a true test of how the Trump/Musk coup affects elections going forward.
Has anyone hit Mark Cuban up for funds to help Valimont & Weil?
Florida District 1:Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and a part of Walton counties will be able to vote in the special election.
Early voting is from March 22nd-29th. Election Day is April 1st.
The Candidates are Gay Valimomt (Democrat) and
Jimmy Patronis (Republican)
Florida district 6: Flagler, Putnam, and parts of Lake, Marion, St. Johns, and Volusia counties will be able to vote in the special election.
Early voting is from March 22nd-29th. Election Day is on April 1st.
The candidates are Joshua Weil (Democrat) and Randy Fine (Republican)
New York District 44: Saratoga County, Niskayina and the city of Schenectady will be able to vote in a special election.
Early voting is from March 15th-23rd. Election Day is March 25th. The primaries for the candidates for this special election have not yet taken place.
Key West demonstration on International Women’s Day in front of our National Weather Service
https://share.icloud.com/photos/063sfEPZluopwgAAlEZvkHCUg
Anything on Broward? I am lookig for the A015 Dem district committee person.
If you’re looking for Joshua Weil on ActBlue search for Josh Weil.
FYI ...Marion Co. DEC is hosting canvassing for Josh Weil. See Mobilize for dates abd information.
First timer here. Will pledge eventually but for now seeing how this works
Hi, Jessica. Just wanted to make sure you’re ok. We haven’t heard from you in a couple of days. But this post made us feel better.
That's weird. I've been posting my newsletter on its usual schedule. I hope it's not going to your spam filter!
No, we just had a flurry of you and missed you is all. You cheer us up so much!
Links not working
You should be able to find them by candidate name on Mobilize.