By Roger Caldwell
President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign has announced its leadership team in Florida, with Jasmine Burney-Clark, the founder of “Equal Ground” will serve as the campaign’s state director. Phillip Jerez, the Florida Democratic Party’s (FDP) “Executive Director,” and Jackie Lee, an Orlando political consultant will serve as senior advisers to the campaign. The hires were first reported by Gary Fineout in Politico.
As the founder of Equal Ground, a non-profit, non-partisan organization that aims to expand Black political power, and educate Florida voters with political engagement and involvement. Burney-Clark will step down, and Genesis Robinson, the former political director for the organization, has been named as the interim executive-director.
“I am grateful to our Board of Directors and founder, Jasmine Burney-Clark for the opportunity to lead Equal Ground during such apivotal time. As we head into the 2024 election cycle, we do so with a deep commitment to increasing civic engagement and building political power in the Black communities,” says Mr. Robinson.
There will be tremendous challenges as Jasmine Burney-Clark takes over as the Biden-Harris, campaign’s Florida’s director. “I am excited to announce that I am taking on the biggest chapter of my life as the Florida State Director for the Biden and Harris campaign. With Florida Democrats we know the road ahead won’t be easy, but it is worth it.” says Burney-Clark.
Republicans now hold a lead in the number of registered voters in Florida for the first time in history of the state. This is unprecedented in Florida, because the Democrats always had a larger percentage of register voters. All the Democrats in Florida should be working to change the numbers in the state, because we cannot win if voters are not registered to vote.
In the last Governor and Senate election race the candidates won by 19 points. Under the former Florida Democratic Party Chairman Manny Diaz underperformed in the midterm election, and he resigned his position. The new Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried is going through a transitional period with a new team.
“Florida is the battleground for all our rights and freedoms and we are leading the fight to protect democracy — not just for our state but for the entire country,” Fried said. “Phillip, Jackie, and Jasmine understand that we are the last line of defense and are ready to prove all the critics wrong. Florida is winnable and worth fighting for.”
Winning Florida for Biden and Harris will be extremely difficult, because it appears that many Blacks are not excited about the election in November. With Trump and DeSantis making Florida their base of operations, the Republicans are ahead in the polls and filled with excitement.
In 2024 to create excitement in Florida, there must be an educational and awareness plan set in motion with resources and training over the state. The last time the Democrats won Florida’s electoral votes for President was in both 2008 and 2012. In 2024, the Black, Hispanic, young, and senior voters will give the Democrats, the edge to win the state.
Diversity is the strength and key to grow political power in Florida. Black and Hispanic outreach must start early in this election cycle, which will give the Democrats the advantage. In order for the Democrats to win Florida more Democrats must be registered and then they must vote.
Congratulations to Jasmine Burney-Clark, as she has been preparing her entire life for this job, as campaign state director of Florida.
