Tuesday E-News Briefs, 5/01/07 - Karl Rove Creeps into Florida

In This Issue

• Chalk Up Another Win for Democrats in Central Florida
• Sink Honors Decorated Military Reservist, State Rep. Scionti
• Karl Rove, President Bush's Hatchet Man, is Coming to Charlotte County
• Tom Feeney's Abramoff Saga Continues
• Small County Coalition To Hold Convention May 19-20 in Gainesville
• GLBT Caucus in Sarasota, Black Caucus in Jax, May 19-20
• Democratic County Chairs Come Together for a Great Weekend in Lake Mary
• Speaker Pelosi To Headline J-J Dinner! Get Your Tickets Now
• Become a Delegate to the 2007 Florida Democratic Party State Convention

Chalk Up Another Win for Democrats in Central Florida

Last Tuesday was a great day for the Party - we elected Democrat Darren Soto to a Republican-held seat in the State House District 49 Special Election, reflecting the changing tide in Florida politics. More and more Floridians are supporting Democrats in greater numbers because they realize Democrats are putting the needs of everyday Floridians first.

This win is huge, and the GOP is trying very hard to spin the heck out of this major loss, claiming that they expected to lose and/or that it doesn't mean anything for the 2008 elections (yet they wasted tens of thousands of dollars trying to hold on to the seat... read the St. Petersburg Times take on the race or the Miami Herald's). The truth is that the election of Darren Soto bodes extremely well for the future of the Democratic Party in Florida. This district is in the heart of the pivotal I-4 corridor, and the Party's new, revitalized ground operation proved it can deliver a majority of voters who care about positive change for the people. We can win more seats like this AND the Presidency in 2008!

Sink Honors Decorated Military Reservist, State Rep. Scionti

Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink today proposed a resolution at the Florida Cabinet meeting to honor State Rep. Michael Scionti (D-58th) of Tampa in admiration of his commitment to military service. Rep. Scionti is a Captain in the United States Army Reserve and has been awarded both the Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star for exceptional meritorious performance of duty in ground combat operations. Rep. Scionti served two tours of duty prior to his 2006 election to the House, and was recently called for a third tour two weeks into the 2007 legislative session. Rep. Scionti has also served as an Assistant Attorney General, Assistant State Attorney, and Assistant Statewide Prosecutor, distinguishing himself by successfully prosecuting drug traffickers and violent felony offenders, as well as prosecuting white-collar corruption and organized crime. "Rep. Scionti, like so many of our military reservists, has selflessly risked his life while defending our great nation and it is an honor to recognize him for both his military and public service today," Sink said. 

Karl Rove, President Bush's Hatchet Man, is Coming to Charlotte County

From the politically motivated firings of eight U.S. prosecutors to President Bush's feeble approval ratings to the plans for escalation of the war in Iraq to one of the many ethical scandals embroiling their elected officials, Florida Republicans continue to be complicit with the Bush administration's failures. Disturbingly, the Charlotte County Republican Party has accepted a request from the White House to allow mudslinger-in-chief Karl Rove to speak at their Lincoln Day Dinner this Saturday. Write a letter to the Charlotte Sun-Herald or another local paper using our Letters-to-the-Editor tool today to send a message that Rove's scandals and dirty politics aren't welcome in Florida. For more about Karl Rove, click here.

Tom Feeney's Abramoff Saga Continues

We continue to learn more about Republican Congressman Tom Feeney's interaction with convicted superlobbyist Jack Abramoff. Stay updated with the latest on this saga and other political news at our website.

Small County Coalition To Hold Convention May 19-20 in Gainesville

Join the Small County Coalition at Sante Fe Community College in Gainesville for an exciting two-day convention. Open to all DEC and Democratic Club members, the convention will feature VAN trainings, seminars on how to be a delegate to the Democratic National Convention and other topics. State Senator Dave Aronberg and State Rep. Chuck Chestnut will speak at the dinner Saturday night at the University of Florida (Arredondo Room, 4th Floor, Reitz Student Union) 7-9 pm. Tickets to the dinner are $45.00. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Nassau County's Linda Spencer, Vice Chair of the Small County Coalition, via email JLCSpencer1@aol.com or by phone 904-845-4646.

GLBT Caucus in Sarasota, Black Caucus in Jax, May 19-20

The GLBT Democratic Caucus will hold its 2007 Convention - "The Sum(mit) of All of Us -- The GLBT Community Reaches Out" - from May 18-20 at the Lido Beach Resort in Sarasota. For more information, please visit www.floridaglbtdemocrats.org/conference. The Party's Black Caucus will also be holding its 2007 Convention in May. "Democrats Attaining Self Empowerment through the Black Caucus Experience" will be located at the Holiday Inn Airport in Jacksonville, May 18-19. For more information, please visit www.democraticblackcaucusfl.org/events.htm.

Democratic County Chairs Come Together for a Great Weekend in Lake Mary

Last weekend the Florida Democratic County Chairs Association (DCCA) met in Lake Mary for a retreat and conference. More than 100 Chairs, Vice Chairs and other DEC leaders representing 55 counties attended the conference, along with Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman, Executive Director Leonard Joseph and the Director of Political Affairs Milli Smith. "It was a great weekend, and we know it will result in a unified Florida as we elect the next President of the United States" said Pasco Chair Alison Berke Morano, the newly elected DCCA Vice-Chair. "We are very happy with the attendance and participation from the state and the leadership of the DECs."

At the end of the weekend, a new board was elected to see the DCCA through 2009. In addition to Vice Chair Morano, Lonny Awerdick of St. Johns was elected Chair of the DCCA; Arlin Briley of Pinellas, Secretary; and Judy Becker of Bradford, Treasurer. DCCA Regional Directors were chosen to work with their assigned counties to coordinate and help mentor newly elected officers, while also fostering a solid foundation for the Party. Regional Directors include Region 1: Judy Mount, Jackson; Region 2: Rhett Bullard, Hamilton; Region 3: Travis Bridges, Duval; Region 4: Toni Molinaro, Pinellas; Region 5: David Dew, Martin & Jeremiah Jaspon, Seminole; Region 6: Ray Troy, Lee & Zane Thomas, Highlands. For more information on the DCCA, visit www.fl-dcca.com.

Speaker Pelosi To Headline J-J Dinner! Get Your Tickets Now!

Check out the new Jefferson-Jackson Weekend website at www.fladems.com/jj. We are honored to have U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi headlining our annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, to be held June 9 at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, FL. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased at  or by calling 850-222-3411.

Become a Delegate to the 2007 Florida Democratic Party State Convention

The next Party State Convention will be held Oct. 26-28, 2007, at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resort. You can visit www.fladems.com/stateconvention to learn more about how you can become a delegate and join us for this exciting event.