Party Expands Staff, Building for Victory in ’08

For Immediate Release, April 9, 2007

TALLAHASSEE- Karen Thurman, Chair of the Florida Democratic Party, today announced the expanded Party staff. 

"These additions will add to the strongest Party infrastructure we've ever had. The presidential campaign is beginning earlier than ever before, and when the primary is over, we will be ready to hit the ground running and lead the Democratic nominee to victory in November 2008," Thurman said.

Thurman has made it a priority to expand Party staff beyond Tallahassee headquarters. Regional finance, political and field staff serve important roles in building the Democratic Party ground operation during 2007.

In addition, the Party's innovative online voter file has been updated and is more comprehensive than in previous years. This valuable tool was essential to the successes of 2006 and will provide even greater influence in 2008.

POLITICAL AND FIELD STAFF

Benjamin "B.J." Chiszar, Regional Director (Miami-Dade, Collier and Monroe Counties). Chiszar is a familiar face on the Democratic campaign circuit, specializing in mobilizing activists and potential voters. Chiszar has worked extensively throughout the nation, serving as the South Dakota Statewide GOTV Director in the fight to repeal the abortion ban and traveling for Senator John Kerry during the presidential primaries. A native of Dade County, Chiszar also worked for Democrat Jimmy Morales in his mayoral bid.

R. Justin Day, Director of Cabinet Affairs. A native of St. Cloud, Florida, Day works as the liaison between the Party and Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink. Most recently, Day held the post of Executive Director of the Florida Mainstream Democratic Caucus, where he oversaw the day-to-day operations of the caucus, including fundraising, message development, and campaign coordination. Previously, he worked as Trip Director for the Betty Castor for Senate campaign. He earned his B.A. in International Affairs from Florida State University.

Benjamin King, Voter File Director. Previously assistant to the Voter File Director during the 2006 election, King has been promoted to manage the Party's expansive and innovative online voter file system for the 2007-08 cycle. A native of Englewood, Florida, King studied political science and music theory at the Florida State University. 

Mildred "Milli" Smith, Director of Party Affairs and North Florida Regional Director. Smith recently served as the North Florida Regional Organizer for the Jim Davis for Governor campaign, organizing activists and voters statewide. Her extensive experience includes Senior Field Staff in South Florida for the Kerry/Edwards campaign. As an active member of the Miami-Dade Democratic Executive Committee, she helped many Democrats secure victories in key state and local races. Smith is an honorably discharged Navy veteran and a 2004 Congressional Black Caucus Veterans' Braintrust Award recipient for her service. 

FINANCE STAFF

Teri Cariota, Deputy Comptroller. Born and raised in North Miami, Cariota is a recently-retired police sergeant who now serves the Party by assisting the Comptroller and the expanding finance department. Cariota has worked in Democratic politics since the Peanut Brigade days of Jimmy Carter's successful 1976 presidential campaign. Her previous activities include working for former Florida Secretary of State Bruce Smathers and coordinating the Leon County Get-Out-The-Vote drive. Besides her duties at the Party, she is active with the Leon County Democratic Party and the Capital City Democratic Women's Club.

Marley Lewis, Finance Director. Lewis is one of the top fundraisers in Florida politics. Prior to working for the Party, she served as the Florida Finance Director for Senator Bill Nelson's successful re-election campaign. Lewis was also the Florida Finance Director for Betty Castor for U.S. Senate, the Central Florida Finance Director for Bob Graham for President and worked in the finance department of Bill McBride for Governor. Lewis is originally from Tampa and received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of South Florida.

Kirk Sander, Central Florida Finance Director. Sander started his political career at the local level, immersing himself in the politics of Hillsborough County while pursuing a Masters at the University of South Florida. In addition to his dedication to local-level campaigns, Sander was a member of the Jim Davis for Governor campaign.

Alexis Searfoss, Finance Assistant. Searfoss' experience includes policy research in the area of early childhood development at the Children's Defense Fund and student outreach for the Jim Davis for Governor campaign. She is a native of St. Petersburg, Florida, and a graduate of the University of Central Florida. 

Sarah Smith, North Florida Finance Director. A native of Marianna, Florida, and graduate of Florida State University, Smith was a member of the finance team for the Rod Smith for Governor Campaign before joining the Party.

Deborah Tannenbaum, South Florida Finance Director. Tannenbaum has extensive experience in leading national, state and local fundraising operations for numerous gubernatorial, congressional and state candidates. In Florida alone, Tanenbaum served as Senior Regional Finance Director for Jim Davis' gubernatorial campaign, Regional Field Director for the 2004 Democratic Coordinated Campaign and Field Director for six different counties in the 2000 Democratic Coordinated Campaign. Originally from Lake City, Florida, Tanenbaum is a graduate of the Florida State University and received a Master of Arts from George Washington University in Washington, DC.