Democrats Complete Most Diverse Convention Delegation in Party History

Final 40 Delegates and Six Alternates Selected in Tampa Today

For Immediate Release: May 17, 2008

TAMPA - The Florida Democratic Party today completed the selection of the state's full delegation to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, electing the final 40 delegates and six alternates at a State Executive Committee meeting in Tampa.

DNC Delegate Selection Rules afford Florida a total of 211 delegates (185 pledged and 26 unpledged) and 31 alternates. See below for the breakdown of the delegation.

"I'm proud to announce that Florida Democrats have elected one of the most diverse National Convention delegations in the country and the most diverse in the history of this state," Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen L. Thurman. "As the primary season comes to a close and Democrats everywhere unite to put an end to the Bush Republican years, we look forward to presenting our full, 211-person delegation to the DNC Rules & Bylaws Committee and asking for their support in winning Florida's 27 electoral votes in November."

In August of 2007, the DNC Rules & Bylaws Committee (RBC) penalized Florida Democrats with a 100% delegate reduction because of the date of the state-run presidential preference primary - which was set for January 29, 2008, by the Republican-controlled Legislature. On May 31, 2008, the RBC is expected to rule on the status of Florida's delegation, which has been elected in accordance with the state's Delegate Selection Plan.

FLORIDA'S DELEGATES TO THE 2008 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

• DISTRICT-LEVEL: 121 pledged delegates and 25 alternates elected in Congressional District caucuses on March 1.
• PLEO (Party Leaders & Elected Official): 24 pledged delegates elected April 5 by the Party's State Executive Committee.
• AT-LARGE: 40 pledged delegates and six alternates elected today by the Party's State Executive Committee.
• UNPLEDGED: 26 "superdelegates" comprised of the state's 13 Democratic National Committee Members, 10 Democratic Members of Congress and three "add-ons." Add-ons (CFO Alex Sink, Senate Democratic Leader Steve Geller and House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber) were elected April 5 by the Party's State Executive Committee.

For the names of Florida's elected delegates, visit http://www.fladems.com/2008DNC.

The following Democrats were elected today as at-large pledged delegates or alternates:

Clinton Delegates

Ms. Ercilia Albistu (Tampa)
Commissioner Joe Angelo (Wilton Manors)
Ms. Roberta Bonfiglio (Cooper City)
Ms. Tania Campusano (North Fort Myers)
Ms. Ana Cruz (Tampa)
Mr. Eddie Dedmon (Callahan)
Commissioner Jean Enright (Riviera Beach)
Representative Terry Fields (Jacksonville)
Mr. Justin Flippen (Wilton Manors)
Mr. Andy Ford (Atlantic Beach)
Ms. Matilda Garcia (Tampa)
Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan (Gainesville)
Mr. James Hart (Boynton Beach)
Senator Arthenia Joyner (Tampa)
Mr. Charles Kinker (Titusville)
Ambassador Luis Lauredo (Key Biscayne)
Mr. Michael Lockwood (Ft. Lauderdale)
Ms. Luchy Julia Secaira (Naples)
Representative Kelly Skidmore (Boca Raton)
Ms. Eleanor Strickland (The Villages)
Ms. Patricia Williams (Miramar)
Mr. Mike Williams (St. Marks)
Ms. Jeanette Wynn (Quincy)
Ms. Cindy Hall (Tallahassee)

Clinton Alternates

Mr. Charles Bonfiglio, Sr. (Cooper City)
Ms. Alma Maria Carter (Gainesville)
Mr. Jeff Wright (Tallahassee)

Edwards Alternate

Ms. Julie Lambakis (Lake Mary)

Obama Delegates

Ms. Marilyn Cappiello (Tampa)
Mr. Ed Chambers (Lakeland)
Mr. Michael Dames (Miami Gardens)
Vice Mayor Joyce Davis (El Portal)
Ms. Dayna Firth (Tampa)
Ms. Sheila Franklin (Fort Lauderdale)
Representative Audrey Gibson (Jacksonville)
Ms. Lizzie Jenkins (Archer)
Mr. Cyrus Jollivette (Jacksonville)
Ms. Judy "JJ" Juliano (Punta Gorda)
Ms. Amy Mercado (Orlando)
Mr. Rick Minor (Tallahassee)
Superintendent Jackie Pons (Tallahassee)
Ms. Wilma Silver (Pompano Beach)
Mr. Barry Tillis (Orlando)
Ms. Judith Williams (El Portal)

Obama Alternates

Ms. Renee Pera (Ft. Lauderdale)
Mr. Harvey Goodman (Pompano Beach)