The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus held its annual conference meeting this month and emerged with endorsements for political candidates running for office across the state.
The caucus requires two-thirds of voting members to support a candidate before the endorsements are approved. The LGBTQ+ Caucus votes determined the endorsements after presentations from candidates and recommendations from the organization’s Campaigns Committee before going to the membership for votes.
“The endorsed candidates have demonstrated a strong commitment not just to the cause of equality but to good governance for all,” said Kristen Browde, President of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus.
“The overwhelming support for those we endorse reflect broad confidence not just in a candidate’s commitment to equality, democracy, and the issues that matter most to LGBTQ+ Floridians, but to their ability to win, even in difficult races. These candidates earned that confidence, and we are proud to support them.”
There were a total of 19 endorsements and they were either for statewide races or for congressional seats.
Candidates endorsed for statewide offices by the LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus include David Jolly for Governor. They also backed Jose Javier Rodriquez for Attorney General and Donald A. “Don” Pritchard for Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer services.
Their endorsements for candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives districts in Florida include Gay Valimont for Congressional District 1, Seth Harp District 3, Brit Robinson Seat 4, Alex Hazen District 5, Marialana Kintner District 7, Jennifer Jenkins District 8, Kimberly Overman District 12, Kathy Castor District 14, Christopher Irizarry District 15, Kelly Kirschner District 16, Curtis Gibson District 18, Pia Dandiya District 22, Shevrin “Shev” Jones District 24, Jared Moskowitz District 25, Nicole Locklin District 26 and Robin Peguero District 27.
“(Friday’s) endorsements represent the collective voice of our members and our unwavering commitment to electing leaders who will defend equality, protect our freedoms, and build a Florida where every person is treated with dignity, respect, and opportunity,” said Alfredo Olvera, Campaigns Director for the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus. “These candidates have earned the confidence of our membership, and we’re excited to help build the coalition that will send them to office.”
The LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus represents the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities within the Florida Democratic Party across the state with local chapters in most metropolitan areas.