Florida Democratic Party Newsletter
11.22.21
Welcome Democrats to the Florida Democratic Party’s Newsletter. This regularly scheduled report is designed to keep you all informed on the latest happenings in the Party and across the state.
For any inquiries or items you’d like highlighted in the upcoming FDP Newsletter, contact press@floridadems.org.
Happy Thanksgiving
May everyone enjoy the feast and the company of their family on Thanksgiving day! There is so much to be thankful for and FDP is grateful for everything you all do. Happy Thanksgiving!
FDP Office Closures
FDP Offices will be closed the following dates in observance of Thanksgiving:
Thursday, Nov. 25 and Friday, Nov. 26
Thursday, Nov. 25 and Friday, Nov. 26
Legislative Update
Last week, a special legislative session was held in response to the Biden Administration’s attempt to end the Covid pandemic. All of the bills passed due to a republican majority, though Democrats put up a fight. Senator Tina Polsky and State Representative Carlos Smith joined us for our monthly Working Families Workshop and provided us with a Special Session Recap.
Please click the link and use the passcode below:
Passcode: Cu2P1@Z&
Democratic Day at the Capitol: Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022
A Democratic Day at the Capitol is being planned in conjunction with the Democratic Women’s Club for the first day of the Legislative Session in Tallahassee. If your DEC, Club or Caucus is interested in traveling and joining us in the Capital City, please email Rep. Angie Nixon, Political Coalitions Director at angie@floridadems.org.
Leadership Blue Update
We have seen an outpouring of excitement in the run-up to this year’s re-scheduled Leadership Blue weekend taking place December 3-5 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, FL. In fact, our room block at the Rosen Plaza is sold out! We still have availability at the nearby Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando, but if you are interested in attending Leadership Blue 2021, please book your stay as soon as possible. Rooms are going fast!
Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando
9000 International Drive
Orlando, Fl 32819
Reservation Phone: 1-800-999-8585
Or make reservations by clicking here.
We are excited to announce our schedule of trainings, meetings and roundtables taking place on Saturday, December 4th. You can find them here. These events and times are subject to change and will be updated soon and on an ongoing basis on our website, www.LeadershipBlue.com.
Staff Highlight: Ben Tyler
Ben is the FDP’s General Counsel who joined FDP as a full-time staffer in May 2021 and has been overseeing Party Affairs for the past few months. He is responsible for all legal issues that were previously under the purview of outside counsel and frequently answers questions from local parties on compliance with the FDP Bylaws and general questions regarding Florida law.
Ben is Cuban-American and grew up in Miami. He graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service with a degree in International Politics and the University of Notre Dame Law School. After law school, Ben worked as a litigation associate in Holland & Knight, LLP’s Miami office and clerked for a federal judge in the United States District Court in the Southern District of Florida before serving on the Biden campaign’s Voter Protection Team in Broward County. Ben has served on the regional board of Read to a Child, Inc. and the executive board of the United Way of Miami Dade’s Under-30 group. Ben is an avid sports fan – particularly the Miami Marlins – who he firmly believes will win another World Series in his lifetime.
Voter Protection
The Voter Protection team has been engaging with and building up our county level team. In the last few days we hosted a group of experienced colleagues from all over the state who are responsible for engaging with their Supervisor of Elections. These voter protection experts traded ideas, tactics, and perspectives. We will continue to hold these community building meetings over the next few months.
We are also (re)building county teams across the state. Sometimes in counties that never had voter protection teams. If you know of someone interested in helping with this work, please contact samk@floridadems.org.
Voter Protection is on the road. While our teams have spent countless hours on zooms with voter protection democrats from all over the state, we are initiating an in person tour to meet our dedicated volunteers in person, recruit new poll watchers, and speak about the importance of voting rights. The tour started in the Central and South West of the state, but will continue. We are looking forward to seeing you soon!
As always, we are recruiting! Please share this interest form with anyone you think might want to learn more about voter protection.
Complimentary Financial Program Review
The FDP Finance Department is offering DECs, Clubs, and Caucuses without professional fundraising assistance a complimentary review of your 2020 fundraising programs to provide actionable insights to help grow your future development. So many of you worked hard to develop resources for strengthening communities, building infrastructure, and growing Democratic power, and our staff would be honored to assist you in continuing and expanding those efforts. The review would include an examination of your fundraising plans, processes, and outcomes to glean potential efficiencies and areas for future emphasis. If you are interested in a Finance Review, please complete this form.
Voter Protection
The Voter Protection team has been growing over the last few months. At this point we have over 300 people signed up to volunteer. Join us, by filling out this form. Last week we credentialed 75 poll watchers and covered Canvassing Boards in five counties. This week, we are adding two volunteers from the DNCs Regional Voter Protection Program. Our many volunteers are not only preparing for an election period voter protection program, but are getting to work now! We have called more than 2,500 people to help get them reactivated. We are engaging with Supervisors of Elections to ensure their list maintenance processes do not disproportionately impact historically disenfranchised voters. Also, we are ensuring that Florida Election law is being applied correctly across the State.
EVERY VOTE COUNTS: Congressional District 20 Special Election
Please join us in congratulating Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. After competing in a large, competitive primary that resulted in a manual recount, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was declared the winner by a 5-vote margin. The General Election for CD20 will take place on December 11th. If elected, she will become the first Haitian-American elected to Congress.
Office Hours for the Data Department
The Florida Democratic Party’s Data Department will be holding weekly office hours every Tuesday from 3pm – 5pm EST. Be sure to join us if you have any VAN or data related questions. << Office Hours Link >>
Outside of these hours, if you have short questions about VAN data, features, and resources, please feel free to schedule a meeting with our Voter File Manager Brady at the following link: << VAN Admin Calendar >>
If you have questions about VAN pricing or need support after hours, our ticket system is available. You can submit questions and requests: << Data Ticket >>
FDP News Digest
Florida Democratic Party Chair Manny Diaz Blasts Package of Bills Passed During Legislative Special Session and Signed into Law By DeSantis Today
Read Chair Diaz’s statement here.
Florida Democratic Party Chair Praises the Advancement of the Build Back Better Act
Read Chair Diaz’s statement here.
Statement from Florida Democratic Party Chair Manny Diaz on the Kyle Rittenhouse Verdict
FDP Statement on President Biden nominating Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs in the Department of Defense
Read Chair Diaz’s statement here.