Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 23, 2024

CONTACT

Joey Arellano

Acting Communications Director

House Democratic Office

[email protected]

(850) 717-4943

Florida House Democrats’ Inaugural Hearing Reveals Detrimental Impact of Harmful Policy Proposals on Floridians

TAMPA, Fla. – Yesterday, Florida House Democrats hosted the inaugural “Freedom to Be Heard” summer field hearing in the Tampa Bay region. This hearing provided an opportunity for legislators to hear directly from Floridians who were shut out from the legislative process and were unable to voice their concerns during the 2024 Legislative Session. During the hearing, Floridians discussed how Republican efforts to prioritize culture wars were not only harmful for our state, but also distract lawmakers from addressing critical issues impacting Florida’s families, including the skyrocketing housing and property insurance costs, safe access to abortions, and more.

This official Caucus hearing followed a similar format to legislative committee meetings. It was presided by Leader Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa) and was joined by Democratic Tampa Bay region Representatives Dianne Hart (D-Tampa), Lindsay Cross (D-St. Petersburg), Michele K. Rayner (D-St. Petersburg), and Susan L. Valdés (D-Tampa). Tampa Bay region community members, including teachers, students, parents, activists, and business leaders all shared their personal stories and concerns.

Those who were unable to attend the live hearing can replay it via The Florida Channel at https://thefloridachannel.org/videos/7-22-24-house-democratic-caucus-summer-field-hearing/.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 17, 2024

MEDIA CONTACTT

[email protected]

FLORIDA DEMOCRATS REACT TO ‘FLORIDA NIGHT’ AT THE RNC CONVENTION

Tallahassee, FL — The Republican National Convention is now underway and on the second night, Florida Republicans, including Senators Scott and Rubio and Governor DeSantis, took center stage. In response, the Florida Democratic Party released the following statement:

“This is a clown show,” said Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried. “It was ‘Florida Night’ at the RNC and Republicans were tripping over themselves to line up behind Donald Trump.

“On night two, Florida Republicans took center stage as the circus continued at the Republican National Convention. Rick Scott reappeared after being MIA for seven days, Rubio limped on stage after being rejected as Trump’s running mate and DeSantis recycled old talking points from his failed presidential campaign.

“The Republican Party can preach ‘unity’ all night long but the only thing they are united on is sending America backwards. In primetime, Americans got a preview of what Trump’s Project 2025 looks like. These dangerous and extreme policies are the backbone of the modern Republican Party and represent a vision for America that threatens to take us back to a time when we had fewer rights.

“In November, Floridians have a clear choice to make: Elect a Biden-Harris ticket that will lead to truly unite the country or a Trump-Vance ticket focused on advancing an extreme and out-of-touch agenda.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 11, 2024

[email protected]

Hillsborough County’s Prominent Hispanic Leaders Back Andrew Warren’s Reelection Bid

Tampa, FL — Andrew Warren’s reelection campaign has received endorsements from prominent Latino leaders, including current and former elected officials. This groundswell of support is a nod to the diverse support State Attorney Warren’s campaign has received from across the county.

The list of endorsing officials includes:

• Hillsborough County Public Defender Julianne Holt

• Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy Millan

• Hillsborough County School Board Member Karen Perez

• State Representative Susan Valdes

• Tampa City Council Chair Guido Maniscalco

• Tampa City Council Member Charlie Miranda

• Tampa City Council Member Luis Viera

• Hon. Janet Cruz, Former Florida State Senator and Representative

• Hon. E.J. Salcines, Former State Attorney and Judge of the Second District Court of Appeal

• Hon. Mike Suarez, Former Tampa City Council Member

“I am incredibly honored to receive the support of these distinguished leaders who have dedicated their careers to serving our community,” said Andrew Warren. “Their endorsement reflects the success we had making Hillsborough safer for every family in our community, and improving the system to benefit everyone who lives here. Everyone knows crime has gone up in my absence, and together we will reverse this alarming trend and increase public safety for all.”

Warren has already received numerous endorsements from current and former state and local officials, including:

• Congresswoman Kathy Castor

• Hon. Alex Sink

• Hon. Betty Castor

• Hon. Arthenia Joyner

• House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell

• Public Defender Julianne Holt

• Clerk of Courts Cindy Stuart

• County Commissioner Harry Cohen

• County Commissioner Pat Kemp

• County Commissioner Gwen Myers

• Hon. Betty Castor, Former Florida Commissioner of Education and State Senator

• Hon. Pat Frank, Former State Senator and Hillsborough Clerk of Courts

• Hon. Les Miller, Former State Senator and Hillsborough County Commissioner

• Hon. E.J. Salcines, Former State Attorney and Judge of the Second District Court of Appeal

• Hon. Rod Smith, Former State Attorney and State Senator

• Rep. Dianne Hart, Florida House of Representatives

• Rep. Susan Valdes, Florida House of Representatives

• Hon. Ben Diamond, Former State Representative

• Hon. Adam Hattersley, Former State Representative

• Hon. Ed Narain, Former State Representative

• Hon. Sean Shaw, Former State Representative and Insurance Consumer Advocate

First elected in 2016 by defeating a 16-year incumbent, State Attorney Warren is seeking re-election to a third term as State Attorney for Hillsborough County, Florida. Warren, a Democrat, points to his proven record of reduced crime, increased public safety, and improvements to the justice system. Warren is a former federal prosecutor and a champion of effective criminal justice policy, focused on balancing punishment, accountability, prevention, and rehabilitation to maximize public safety.

For more information about the campaign, please visit AndrewWarrenFL.com

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Paid political advertisement. Paid for by Andrew Warren for State Attorney, Democrat, 13th Judicial Circuit.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 8, 2024

MEDIA CONTACT

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ICYMI: Republican-led States (like Florida) are Blocking Summer Food Benefits for Hungry Families

FDP Chair Nikki Fried declares it a “Cruel Summer” for Florida’s kids

Tallahassee, FL — Last week, USA TODAY reported that Florida and 11 other Republican-led states chose to opt out of the Summer EBT program, a federal initiative to provide families who receive free or reduced school lunches an EBT credit for the summer months. 9.5 million children are affected in states that opted out, including 2.2 million children in Florida, which rejected $250 million in federal funding.

In a tweet, FDP Chair Nikki Fried called the move a “Cruel Summer” and said that Ron DeSantis “only protects our kids when it fits his narrative.”

READ MORE:

Republican-led states are blocking summer food benefits for hungry families — USA TODAY

• The governors of a dozen states – Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming – opted out of the program, leaving about 9.5 million students without the aid this summer, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. All of these states are led by Republicans.99

• White House leaders slammed state officials, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who refused to opt in and help combat hunger for parents who can’t afford to feed themselves or their children.

• “It is $250 million that is left on the table. … It costs Floridians nothing,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre to Spectrum News.

White House calls out Florida for not joining summer EBT program — Spectrum News 13 

• “It is truly, truly shameful, that they are not opting into these programs.” Jean-Pierre said. “We’re talking about making sure that children in low-income families … are getting the summer lunches, right? And one of the things that we learned during this pandemic is food insecurity. How terrible that was to our children. And so we need to make sure that we’re taking care of our kids.”

• …all of Florida’s Democrats in Congress sent a letter to DeSantis, urging him to apply to the program in time for the Jan. 1 deadline. In response to the state’s decision to reject the money, Democratic Congresswoman Kathy Castor said in a statement: “Governor DeSantis is putting Florida families at a disadvantage yet again due to his extreme politics.”

Florida opts out of $250 million in summer food aid for families — WFSU

• “It doesn’t seem it would be that heavy of a lift for the state to put this out, especially considering the fact that … so many children are going hungry, grocery costs are still on the increase in Florida and the amount of money that would come into the state,” [Cindy] Huddleston said.

• Florida director of No Kid Hungry, Sky Beard, called the state’s most recent decision “incredibly disappointing.” “More than three-quarters of Floridians reported it was harder to buy food this year than last, due to the increasing costs of food and other essentials,” she wrote in a statement.

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