National Democrats are placing their bets in an open congressional race in Northeast Florida.
With Congressman Ron DeSantis running for governor, Democrats are banking on Nancy Soderberg, who served on the National Security Council during the Clinton presidency, to replace him. Bill Clinton also named Soderberg as an alternate representative to the United Nations where she often represented the U.S. on the Security Council. She also led the Public Service Leadership Program at the University of North Florida. Soderberg stumbled during her first bid for public office when she ran for a state Senate seat in 2012.
On Thursday, the Democrats showcased Soderberg when the DCCC named her as part of its “Red to Blue” program which highlights top candidates looking to flip seats currently held by the GOP. Soderberg is one of nine Democrats named in the latest round of “Red to Blue” candidates and becomes the third Democrat in the Sunshine State to join it alongside Lauren Baer who is looking to take on Congressman Brian Mast and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell who is hoping to take down Congressman Carlos Curbelo.
New Mexico Congressman Ben Ray Luján, the chairman of the DCCC, praised Soderberg on Thursday and said his team in the Beltway will help her if she wins the Democratic nomination. Soderberg is a heavy favorite to win the Democratic primary though there are other candidates--Dr. Stephen Sevigny and attorney John Upchruch--also running.
“Nancy Soderberg is a results oriented problem solver, which she has proven many times throughout her career, including her years of work as a national security expert, projecting American strength abroad,” Luján said. “That’s exactly the kind of person that everyday Floridians deserve to protect their needs in Washington D.C. After working for years at the University of North Florida with the next generation of leaders, Nancy is running to bring her experience as a national security expert and a teacher to Congress. With her people-focused, grassroots campaign, Nancy Soderberg is doing the right things to win this open seat and give folks in North Florida a new voice in Washington.”
DeSantis easily won in 2016 and there are several Republican candidates--including former state Rep. Fred Costello, St. Johns County Commissioner Jimmy Johns, former Dick Cheney aide Mike Waltz and businessman John Ward--running in the GOP primary.
READ MORE FROM SUNSHINE STATE NEWS
Ron DeSantis Rises, Gwen Graham Falls; Nelson Still Leads Scott -- Poll
DCCC, NRCC Exchange Fire in South Florida Congressional Race
