Make the State Convention Amazing, Tuesday E-News Briefs, 6/12/07

In This Issue

• Amazing J-J Weekend - Let's Make the State Convention Even MORE AMAZING: DEADLINE EXTENDED to Become a Delegate
• Presidential Primary Update
• Congratulations Primary Winners Franks in Senate 3 and Diaz-Fonseca in District 43!
• State Rep. Luis Garcia Appointed Vice Chair of Party
• Boyd Honored for River Advocacy by Florida Wildlife Federation
• Republican Presidential Candidates Giving Up on Latinos in Florida

Amazing J-J Weekend - Let's Make the State Convention Even MORE AMAZING: DEADLINE EXTENDED to Become a Delegate

Anyone who was at the Jefferson Jackson Dinner this past weekend felt it: Florida Democrats are barreling toward victory in 2008. Our message of putting Floridians first is resonating from Pensacola to Key West, and there is anticipation and enthusiasm in the air.  Help the Florida Democratic Party keep the momentum going - become a delegate to the State Convention!

Following an enormously successful J-J Weekend, the Party is looking ahead. We have extended the application deadline to become a delegate to June 25 so you can sign up!  The convention will be held Oct. 26-28, 2007, at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resort. Visit www.fladems.com/stateconvention to learn more about how you can join us for this exciting event.

Presidential Primary Update

Florida Democrats are going with January 29^th as the date for the binding 2008 Democratic Presidential Primary in Florida! Read more at:

www.fladems.com/content/w/state_democrats_embrace_early_primary

Congratulations Primary Winners Franks in Senate 3 and Diaz-Fonseca in District 43!

The Florida Democratic Party congratulates Suzan Franks, Democratic candidate for the State Senate District 3 Special Election and Sophia Diaz-Fonseca, Democratic candidate for the State House District 43 Special Election. 

Suzan has over 20 years experience in public service and supports making education a top priority, reducing insurance costs, and fair property tax relief for homeowners. Learn more, contribute and volunteer by visiting Suzan's website: www.suzanfranksforfloridasenate.com.

Sophia is a former Inverness City Council member and has proven to be a tireless campaigner. Sophia, a longtime community servant, has always been accessible to her constituents and even started a "Coffee with the Councilwoman" for the people of Inverness when she served. Help her out by calling 352-344-8840 or emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

State Rep. Luis Garcia Appointed Vice Chair of Party

Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman today announced the appointment of State Representative Luis Garcia (D-Miami Beach) to the position of Vice Chair. He joins a strong circle of Party advisors: First Vice Chair Diane Glasser, Vice Chair Mayor Clarence Anthony and Vice Chair Congresswoman Carrie Meek. "Luis is an exciting, dynamic Democrat, and he makes a fantastic addition to the Party leadership," Thurman said. "There are few public servants as likable and dedicated as Luis, and I look forward to working with him to elect more Democrats across Florida."

"I am humbled by the vote of confidence from Chairwoman Thurman in selecting me to serve as Vice Chair of the Florida Democratic Party," Garcia said. "I am proud to join a well-respected group of individuals who already serve as Vice Chairs of the Democratic Party. I am committed to building on our 2006 victories and electing more Hispanics to the Florida Legislature." To read more about the appointment, visit www.fladems.com/garcia.

Boyd Honored for River Advocacy by Florida Wildlife Federation

Congressman Allen Boyd will be honored with the Florida Wildlife Federation's 2007 Special River Advocate of the Year Award at its 70th Annual Conservation Awards Banquet on June 23 at the Holiday Inn Harbourside in Indian Rocks Beach.

"I am so honored to receive the Special River Advocate of the Year Award from the Florida Wildlife Federation," Boyd said.  "Since I've been in Congress, I have been working to end dredging along the Apalachicola River, and the Florida Wildlife Federation has been a tireless ally and advocate in this effort.  I appreciate all that the Florida Wildlife Federation does for our great state, and I look forward to working with them in the future so that we can end the dredging of the Apalachicola River permanently and begin restoring the river to its natural habitat and beauty."

Republican Presidential Candidates Giving Up on Latinos in Florida

Republicans appear to be conceding the strong and growing Latino demographic. The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, a major bipartisan advocacy group, invited all the major Presidential candidates to speak at their 24th Annual Conference in Orlando later this month, but every Republican turned them down.

All the Democrats will be there, understanding the importance of Latinos in America and the fact that in 2006 Democrats won the Latino vote in Florida for the first time since 1976. Democrats understand the importance of the Latino community, and are not afraid to address the tough issues. To learn more about Democratic outreach in Florida, read this article in the Sun-Sentinel.