Florida Highway Patrol Selects Brown to Lead Training Academy

~ Brown to take command of the FHP Training Academy ~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Highway Patrol Director, Col. David Brierton, promoted Mark Brown to major and assigned him to lead the FHP Training Academy, effective March 16. The academy is responsible for recruiting as well as training new troopers and current members of the Florida Highway Patrol.

“The command team selected Major Brown from an impressive group of candidates who applied for the critical position within our agency,” Brierton said. “He is a forward thinking leader who is dedicated to accomplishing the mission of the Patrol.”

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Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith’s Statement In Support of Debt Agreement

Last night, President Obama announced that Congressional leaders have reached a compromise to raise America’s debt ceiling and begin to set our fiscal house in order.  That agreement will prevent the United States from defaulting on its debt for the first time in history, an event that would have had catastrophic consequences for our economy.  Following the announcement of that agreement, Florida Chairman Rod Smith issued the following statement: … Continue Reading

Florida Democratic Party Taps Brannon Jordan As Communications Director

Tallahassee, FL — Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith Monday has named Brannon Jordan, a fourth generation Floridian and former deputy communications director for the Democratic Governors Association, as the party’s communications director.

“Brannon will be a tremendous asset to our already strong team,” Chairman Smith said. “A Florida native, she is a seasoned and talented communicator who stands ready to hold Republicans accountable while promoting our party’s focus on restoring the economy and creating jobs.” … Continue Reading

Weinstein Announces Finance Committee

Committee Includes More Than 100 Community Leaders from Clay, Duval and St. Johns Counties

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (August 1, 2011) –State Representative Mike Weinstein today announced the membership roster of his Campaign Finance Committee.  The committee includes more than 100 community leaders from across Clay, Duval and St. Johns Counties.

Weinstein said, “I am blessed and overwhelmed at the level of widespread support that I continue to receive from throughout the district as I campaign to serve my third term in the Florida House of Representatives.  I am honored to know that these community leaders believe in me as we work together to fight for the ideals of limited government and more freedom for all of Florida. … Continue Reading

Alan Grayson: I’m In. Are You?

Dear Friend:

I’m in. I’m running for Congress.

I’m running because I promised Charlaina and Rick that I would. Charlaina called me a few weeks ago, from the hospital. She told me that her husband, Rick, was suffering from multiple organ failure – lungs, kidneys and liver.

Rick was 56 years old. That’s three years older than me.

Rick was a veteran. But the Veterans Administration wasn’t covering his hospital bills.

Rick had had a bad liver since he was 30, when he contracted hepatitis. No insurance company would go near him.

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Florida Democratic Party Releases 2012 Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plan

The Florida Democratic Party today released the Florida Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plan laying out the proposed process for selecting Delegates to the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

Over the next 30 days, the Florida Democratic Party will welcome public comments regarding the plan at http://www.FlaDems.com/2012DelegatePlan, where the full plan can be viewed. … Continue Reading

Citizens for Fairness in Florida Rally – April 5, 2011

On April 5, 2011, Citizens for Fairness in Florida held a rally in support of HB 1207.

RPOF: Democratic Party of Florida Appoints “Turnaround Committee” To Study Party’s Problems

Tallahassee, FL:  Democratic Party of Florida Chairman Rod Smith was in Sarasota on Sunday discussing how he plans to avoid another year of across the board victories for Republicans. He has appointed a “turnaround committee” to list all of the party’s problems and reevaluate their message delivery. However, the strategy seems to focus more on rhetoric than policy. … Continue Reading

Orlando Residents Fight Back Against Politicians’ Attack on Florida Families, Look to ‘Awake the State’

WHAT:  March and Rally in opposition to proposed cuts on state budget

WHEN:  Tuesday, March 8th, 2011 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM

WHERE: March meeting point (4:30 PM): IBEW Hall 820 Virginia Drive Orlando, FL
(the march will lead to the Rally)
Rally (5:30 PM): Senator Beth Johnson Park, 59 South Ivanhoe Boulevard,
Orlando, FL (adjacent to Chamber of Commerce)         … Continue Reading

President Obama And Bill Nelson Standing Together In Washington And Florida

Tallahassee, FL- After years of standing beside President Obama’s policies and priorities in Washington that are piling up debt onto future generations of Floridians, Senator Bill Nelson will once again be standing by his man as they campaign together tonight.

“It’s no wonder President Obama is willing to fly down to Florida for tonight’s fundraiser considering that Bill Nelson has been a reliable ‘yes’ vote for the policies that are taking our country in the wrong direction, spending recklessly and piling up trillions in new debt,” said RPOF Communications Director Trey Stapleton “His votes for the $800 billion failed stimulus and  Obamacare are proof that Floridians can’t afford Bill Nelson in Washington anymore.”

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In Light Of Preclearance Approval For California’s Non-Partisan Redistricting, Chairman Smith Renews Call On Rick Scott To Resubmit Application For Fair Districts Amendments

With the U.S. Justice Department approving California’s request for preclearance of their state’s nonpartisan redistricting rules yesterday, Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith today renewed his call on Governor Rick Scott to immediately resubmit the application for preclearance of the Fair District amendments.

“Governor Rick Scott continues obstructing the will of Floridians who overwhelmingly voted for the constitutional amendments last fall. … Continue Reading

Florida Democratic Party: Congressmen-elect Rivera and Southerland Living Large on the Dime of Special Interests and Lobbyists While Florida Families Struggle

Florida Democratic Party spokesman Eric Jotkoff today released the following statement concerning reports that Congressmen-elect David Rivera and Steve Southerland will be two of a dozen freshmen Republican lawmakers to benefit from a lavish fundraiser attended by lobbyists and special interests at an exclusive Washington hotel tonight.

“Congressmen-elect Rivera and Southerland did not even wait to be sworn in before showing Floridians that they have gone Washington. While Florida families struggle to make ends meet, Rivera and Southerland will be living large on the dime of special interests and lobbyists at a lavish Washington fundraiser costing $50,000 to attend. If there was ever any doubt before, it should be abundantly clear now that they will be working in Congress to defend the Washington special interests and lobbyists, not the people of the Sunshine State.”

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Florida Democratic Party Commends the President, Democratic Congress for Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

Florida Democratic Party Chair spokesperson Eric Jotkoff released the below statement today after President Barack Obama signed critical legislation that would repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”  The legislation would allow Americans to serve in the military regardless of their sexual orientation.

“With the President’s signature today, he has enacted a reform overwhelmingly supported by the American people and has fulfilled another campaign promise that takes a critical step to ensure equal rights for all Americans. … Continue Reading

Florida Democratic Party Reacts To Announcement Florida Will Gain Two Congressional Seats

Florida Democratic Party Executive Director Scott Arceneaux released the following statement regarding the U.S. Census Bureau’s announcement today:

“Today, Floridians are celebrating the U.S. Census Bureau’s announcement that our state will be gaining two new seats in Congress as part of the decennial reapportionment process. … Continue Reading

Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman Applauds Senate Vote to Move Forward with Bill Repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman released the below statement today, following a vote in the U.S. Senate to move forward on critical legislation that would repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The legislation would allow Americans to serve in the military regardless of their sexual orientation.

“The Senate did the right thing today for our country and our military by voting to move forward with legislation that would repeal the outdated and discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy.

“President Obama pledged to overturn this legislation when he campaigned for office, and the U.S. Senate today cast a critical vote to move this goal forward.
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RPOF: After Voting For the Obama Agenda, Bill Nelson Now Lashing Out at Obama as His Election Nears

After Voting For the Obama Agenda, Bill Nelson Now Lashing Out at Obama as His Election Nears

TALLAHASSEE – Sen. Bill Nelson has been a reliable vote for the Obama Washington agenda of record spending and debt. He supported the failed “stimulus,” Obamacare, and countless other policies that Floridians rejected and have only resulted in higher unemployment, record spending, and record debt. Yet, now, with a reelection campaign on the horizon, Sen. Nelson is suddenly lashing out at President Obama.

According to the Politico today, “…typically mild-mannered Bill Nelson of Florida – lit into President Obama during an unusally tense air-clearing caucus session on Thursday… Nelson told colleagues Obama’s unpopularity has become a serious liability for Democrats in his state and blamed the president for creating a toxic political environment….”
… Continue Reading

Alan Grayson for Congress:Toys for the Rich

Dear Friend,

Sometime between now and December 31, we will vote to extend the Bush tax cuts for the rich, or Obama tax cuts for the middle class. In the case of the Bush tax cuts, this money will go to the high and mighty. According to Citizens for Tax Justice, the top 1% of taxpayers — people with more than $1.3 million a year — will receive an average of $83,347 in Republican tax breaks.

Here are some possibilities of what those masters of the universe can buy, with their new government welfare:

- A brand-new Mercedes Benz E-Class car, $83,000. Every single year. And each year, they can give the “old” one to a spouse, a girlfriend, whoever.

- A Hermes “Birkin” handbag, $64,800. (Actually, though, if you need to know how much it costs, then you can’t afford it.)

- Chateau d’Yquem wine from 1787, $56,588. That will leave each one with around $25,000 of loose change in their pockets. Enough for a nice lunch, maybe.

- 20,000 jars of Grey Poupon. So when people ask, “excuse me, sir, but do you have any Grey Poupon,” the answer is “Yes!”

- 800 luxury cigars. One for the morning, and one for the evening, every single day. But how will they light them? Each one, with a $100 bill. That costs only $73,000 a year. Ah.

Thank you, Republican Party. You’re letting the rich in this country enjoy two cigars a day, each lit by a $100 bill.

Now I have a question for you. What do you suggest that the wealthy purchase with their welfare, courtesy of the Republican Party? What new toys for the idle rich? A Mercedes? A Hermes bag? Cigars? They need your ideas, because they will all have so much more of our money.

So please, submit your ideas.

Courage,

Alan Grayson

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson Praises Thurman’s Service As Florida Democratic Party Chair

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson released the following praising Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman as she announces her retirement:

“Over the past six years, as chair the Florida Democratic Party, Karen Thurman worked to ensure our state would have a vibrant political system in which all voters could have a choice,” said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.  “I’d like to commend her for this effort, and also for her previous public service in Congress.  She has always put Floridians first.”

Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman Announces Retirement

In announcing her retirement as Chair of the Florida Democratic Party, Chair Karen Thurman sent the following letter to party leaders and grassroots activists. A .PDF of the letter can be downloaded by clicking here:

November 12, 2010

Dear Florida Democratic Party Leaders,

Over the past six years as Chair of the Florida Democratic Party, I have been honored by the trust and confidence you have placed upon me to lead our efforts to empower the grassroots and build a lasting infrastructure for our party.

Working together, we have upgraded our technology, modernized our strategies, cultivated a new generation of Democratic leaders, and raised more funds than at any point in our party’s history. We have worked to register new Democratic voters, leading to record gains in our party’s membership. Our investments in building and sustaining our Voter File have allowed us to accurately target and actively engage voters across the Sunshine State.

We have built a successful new media communications program, which allows us to regularly communicate with hundreds of thousands of Floridians through email to recruit volunteers and fundraise online. And I am especially proud of the fact that of the over 38,000 donations to the Florida Democratic Party since I became Chair, nearly 65% of these donations were grassroots contributions of $250 or less.

Recently, while we have watched the Republican Party of Florida face arrests and indictments for their party’s activities, we have shown the Sunshine State that Florida Democrats are the party of honest and ethical leadership.

We have put in place the best professional staff of any Democratic State Party in the nation, who I would like to personally thank for their tireless work and selfless dedication to our party. Providing the guidance and leadership for our staff, as well as helping them accomplish the goals we set, has been the most rewarding part of my tenure as Chair. I hope you will continue showing our staff the same respect and level of support that you have provided over the past many years.

After many months of reflection and discussion with my family, our staff, and many of you, I have decided to retire as Chair of the Florida Democratic Party. In the coming months I look forward to not only spending more time with my husband, John, my children, and grandchildren, but also continuing to serve the Florida Democratic Party. I have pledged to do everything in my power to help ensure that the Chair we elect in the near future has a seamless transition and is ready to succeed in the role.

And I would like to thank each of you for your support, your work on behalf of the Florida Democratic Party, and most importantly for your continued friendship. There is still much work to be done as we continue fighting for our values, for the Democratic solutions to the problems facing the Sunshine State, and for the leaders we need to move our state forward.

Sincerely,

Congresswoman Karen Thurman
Chair, Florida Democratic Party

A Message from Charlie | Charlie Crist for U.S. Senate

The election is over.  We fought hard, but so did our opponents.  Carole and I wish Senator-elect Marco Rubio and his family the very best.

Soon it will be Thanksgiving, and I have no shortage of reasons to give thanks.

I am blessed with a loving wife and family.

I am blessed to live in the United States of America, the greatest nation on Earth.

I am blessed and honored to have served Florida as your governor.

And I am blessed to have you.

When I left my former party, many of my friends and supporters were concerned.  I told them not to worry – I said that you would be my parachute, and lift me up.  I said that you would be my party.

But over these last few months, you became more than that to me.  You became family.

Teachers and law officers, union members and business owners, Democrats and Republicans – you opened your arms to our independent campaign, and you gave me the freedom to do what I had long ago dismissed as impossible on a campaign trail.

You let me speak to Florida from my heart.

For that privilege, I am still in awe, and I will never be able to thank you enough.

God bless,

Charlie Crist