Laser-Focus on Defeating Rick Scott

The Sarasota County Democratic Party exceeded every expectation in President Obama’s victory in Florida this year, and we have emerged from the 2012 election stronger and more motivated than ever. So I was thrilled to be re-elected as chair to lead the party forward.

Our focus for the next two years couldn’t be clearer. We intend to defeat Governor Rick Scott. He has put Florida on the wrong track and has shown us over and over that he has the wrong priorities and is out of touch with Florida's values.

For example, he slashed hundreds of millions of dollars from Florida’s education system—the gateway to opportunity and the key to growing our economy—eliminating jobs and causing hardships for teachers, schools, children and families across the state.

He said “no” to billions of federal dollars that would have improved the health of Florida’s citizens and lowered everyone’s costs, while creating thousands of health care jobs. And he backed the voter suppression law, creating Florida’s election debacle that was a laughing stock of the nation. Yet he always seems to find the time and the tax dollars for handouts to his corporate friends.

Democrats believe we all benefit when every Floridian has a fair shot at success—not just those born to wealth or privilege. In Sarasota—just as in Orlando, Tampa, and Miami—we are building a new coalition based on this vision of a better America for all of us. These values resonated during the last election and we will continue to fight for these values as we make our case to the voters in 2014.

I was humbled by the efforts so many put into winning this last election for Barack Obama. And I expect I will be humbled again as our energetic and motivated Sarasota County Democrats take on the job of defeating Rick Scott and making Florida a better place to live and do business. Join us!