MIAMI — The Florida LGBTQ+ Caucus enthusiastically joined the growing blue wave with a unanimous endorsement of Kamala Harris for President. Caucus members, meeting via Zoom, are already actively involved in the Harris campaign, with volunteers working across the state to re-register voters for Vote By Mail and register new voters in time for the election.

“Our members aren’t just energized, they’re excited to be working to elect the first woman to the nation’s highest office and to take back Florida at the same time,” said Kristen Browde, President of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus. “Not only does Kamala Harris have the knowledge, energy and leadership skills this country needs, she’s a career prosecutor who knows exactly what to do with career felons like Donald Trump.”

# # #

The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus has chapters across the state, from Miami to Pensacola. The Caucus is chartered by the Florida Democratic Party. Our members serve as elected representatives of Democratic Executive Committees, as members of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), as local elected and appointed officials, and as delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. More information is available on lgbtqdems.org.

Voting members should check their e-mails for registration and links to the special membership meeting by Zoom Sunday July 28, 2024 to vote on the proposed endorsement of Kamala Harris for President. A quorum of members is needed to endorse a candidate, and a minimum of 60% of the quorum must vote in favor for the Caucus to endorse.

Voting to endorse the strongest slate of candidates to both take back Florida and make sure Kamala Harris has a strong Democratic Congress, the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus has endorsed Debbie Mucarsel-Powell for the Democratic Party nomination for the United States Senate.

The Florida Democratic Primary is August 20th. Vote by mail ballots have just hit mailboxes across the state.

“Debbie has proved herself an outstanding legislator with deep understanding of the issues vital to all Florida voters,” said Kristen Browde, the Caucus President. “She’s not just ready to move up to the United States Senate, she’s the candidate best positioned to eliminate the embarrassment Florida has sent to Washington, Rick Scott.”

The Caucus membership also voted to endorse Congressional Candidates in 19 Florida Districts, listed below, selecting candidates known for their dedication to equality.  (* Indicates incumbent.)

Gay Valimont in House District 1, centered around Pensacola.

Lashonda “LJ” Holloway in House District 4, centered in Jacksonville

Allek Pastrana in House District 7, near Orlando

Daniel McDow in House District 8, West Melbourne

*Darren Soto in House District 9, Orlando

*Maxwell Alejandro Frost in District 10, Central Florida

Barbie Harden Hall in House District 11, the Villages and surrounding areas

Sabrina Bousbar in House District 13, near Largo

*Kathy Castor in House District 14, Tampa area

Patricia “Pat” Kemp in House District 15, north and east of Tampa

Jan Schneider in House District 16, Manatee and Hillsborough Counties

Manny Lopez in House District 17, Gulf Coast north of Cape Coral

Andrea Doria Kale in House District 18, central Florida centered on Sebring

Thomas Witkop in House District 21, Atlantic Coast centered around Port St. Lucie

*Lois Frankel in House District 22, Atlantic Coast north of Boca Raton to West Palm Beach

*Jared Moskowitz in House District 23, Atlantic Coast, Fort Lauderdale to Boca Raton

*Frederica Wilson in House District 24, Miami Beach to North Miami and south of Aventura

*Debbie Wasserman Schultz in House District 25, Weston to Surfside, from Port Everglades to Pembroke Pines

Lucia Baez-Geller in House District 27, Miami

Statement attributable to Kristen Browde, President of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus:

Only a day after our caucus voted to endorse the reelection of Joe Biden, our President has done what he always has, acted in the best interest of the nation and the Democratic Party. Joe Biden has announced he will not seek reelection.

The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus salutes our President for his decades of leadership and his honor. And we pledge to fully support the nominee of our party, because we know without a doubt this nation cannot afford another four year Trump led disaster.

Democratic candidates filed to run in the 2020 race for Tallahassee City Commission, Seat 1, have been invited to speak during Capital Equality’s upcoming membership meeting on Wednesday, January 8, 2020.

This meeting of the Capital Equality Democratic Caucus will be held at 6:30pm at the Leon County Public Library, Program Room A, in downtown Tallahassee and is open to all Democrats.

Grab a friend and join us for an informative and entertaining session! We hope to see you there!

On February 25, 2023, members of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus will meet at the Winter Conference in Orlando to elect Caucus officers — President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Nominations for these Caucus officer positions will be accepted until January 26, 2023, via email to nominations@lgbtqdems.org.

Any voting member may run for a Caucus officer position, nominate another voting member, or have their name placed in nomination. To vote at the February 25 meeting in Orlando, or to run for an officer position, you must be a current voting member, or you must join the Caucus not later than Wednesday, January 11, 2023.

Persons nominated for a Caucus officer position will be asked by the Nominating Committee to verify they are willing to serve if elected. All eligible candidates will have the opportunity to submit a photograph and a biography, statement and/or a platform of 300 words or less, no later than February 4, 2023, for distribution to the membership.

For more information about the biennial organizational election of Caucus officers, click HERE for a copy of the Election Procedures. For information about the duties of the officers of the Caucus, click here to download a copy of the Caucus Bylaws.

Democratically yours,

2023 Nominating Committee
Rick Boylan, Chair
Carvelle Estriplet
Jeff Nall