Broward County’s Democratic Party Vows to Turn Florida Blue

By Kaysia Earley

      Broward County’s Democratic party sought to reignite the fire to ensure the message to ‘Turn Florida Blue’ spreads like wildfire. This was the common theme at the 7^th Annual Obama Roosevelt Gala held on March 23, 2024. The annual fundraiser gala was held at the Broward Convention Center and hosted by Richard “Rick” Hoye, Broward County’s Democratic Party chair.  Over 400 people attended and raised over $200,000, Hoye proclaimed. Hoye urged attendees to make it a priority to mobilize voters and spread the word about Democratic nominees. He noted a dire concern with low re-enrollment for mail-in-ballots and urged the party to help spread the word because there is strength in numbers. Recent changes to the voters’ mail-in ballot requests cancelled previous registrations due to Florida’s new voting restrictions.  This new law championed by Governor Ron DeSantis also included ID requirements and ballot box limits, making it harder to vote by mail. The previous law allowed Florida voters to automatically receive a mail-in ballot for every election for up to four years. The new measure cancelled nearly all the standing requests on file at the end of 2022. Additionally, voters can only request to automatically receive a mail-in ballot for up to two years. To request a vote-by-mail ballot, a voter may make a request by signed writing, in person, or by phone to their local Supervisor of Elections’ office. The written request must include the voter’s name, date of birth, address (A signed written request is required if the address is different that the address on file. An exception exists for absent uniformed service voter or an overseas voter seeking a vote-by-mail ballot.), Florida driver license or identification card, or last four digits of the voter’s social security number, and signature (if the request is written).  Additional information to re-enroll may be found at BrowardVotes.gov.

Notable Democratic candidates in attendance included Stanley Campbell and Rod Joseph, who are running against Rick Scott for U.S. Senate. Campbell is a rocket scientist, navy pilot, and golf course owner. His campaign is gaining visibility, although it has been reported Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a former one-term congresswoman from Miami is favored as the Democratic nominee. “Mr. Campbell’s personal story alone makes him one of the most compelling, formidable potential U.S. Senate candidates in the country,” said Kevin Cate, a top Florida Democratic strategist. “If he’s able to compliment that with good fundraising and organizing, all of the sudden Democrats might actually have a chance to take down Rick Scott.” Other Democrats vying for the U.S. Senate nomination include, Matt Boswell, progressive activist^, Rod Joseph, consultant and Purple Heart recipient^, Bernard Korn, realtor and perennial candidate^, Brian Rush, former state representative, and Matthew Sanscrainte, hospitality management consultant.

Former Broward County state Sen. Perry Thurston Jr. and Dwight Forrest, both vying for the Broward County’s first elected Tax Collector, were also in attendance. Abbey Ajayi, who is also running for the position credits her 30 years of experience running the Tax Collector’s Office as the reason she is the most qualified candidate for the position. Other attendees included Kaysia M. Earley, Esq., attorney and former Broward judicial candidate, Dr. Barbara Sharief, former Mayor of Broward, Harold F. Pryor running for re-election for Broward State Attorney, Joshua Simmons, running for re-election as Coral Springs City Commissioner, Maxwell B. Chambers, Vice Mayor of Miramar, Krystal Patterson, candidate for Tamarac Commissioner who’s running against District One Commissioner Elvin Villalobos, Marlon Bolton, District One Commissioner who has also drawn a challenger, business owner, and President of the Kiwanis Club of Tamarac, Horatio Bryan. “Although we are vying for the same seat, I am sure I am going to win because residents know I have their best interest at heart.” Nikki Fried former agriculture commissioner and gubernatorial candidate advised, “the only way democracy works is when you have two strong parties that can bring people together to make sure we’re working on policies that impact the entire state of Florida.”

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston sought to energize the party to increase voter turnout and support the women’s right to choose. She later announced Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania, the scheduled keynote speaker, unfortunately could not attend due to unforeseen travel issues. Additional topics of concern for the Democratic Party included voter registration campaigns and canvassing, phone banking and texting to ensure Florida voters turn the state “back to blue”. Bottom line, the party must mobilize current registered voters and increase voter registration to ensure Democrats take back Florida from aggressive Republicans and turn Florida into a blue state.