On Tuesday, the Florida Democratic establishment fell in line behind former U.S. Sec. of State Hillary Clinton, the favorite for her party’s presidential nomination.
The Clinton camp unveiled its Florida Leadership Council on Tuesday with more than 150 prominent Democrats from the Sunshine State including U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham.
“In support of her campaign in Florida, I am honored to serve on Hillary Clinton’s Florida leadership team and promote her agenda to improve the lives of middle class Americans, protect our seniors and to keep us safe from terrorism threats,” Nelson said.
Eight members of the congressional delegation--U.S. Reps. Corrine Brown, Kathy Castor, Ted Deutch, Lois Frankel, Alan Grayson, Patrick Murphy and Frederica Wilson--fell in line behind Clinton. So did former U.S. Reps. Joe Garcia and Ron Klein.
"I have known Hillary for decades, dating back to her time with the Children’s Defense Fund,” Hastings said. “In this capacity, I came to know her as a smart and driven advocate, whose thoughtfulness and deliberation helped to advance justice and the rule of law in a time when African Americans and women struggled daily to attain the freedom and equality enshrined in our constitution. Hillary’s commitment to these principles has never wavered, and I can say unequivocally that she is the right choice for this nation."
Eight Democrats in the Florida Senate--including Democratic Leader Arthenia Joyner of Tampa and former Senate President Gwen Margolis of Miami--are also part of Clinton’s team. So are almost 30 Democrats sitting in the Florida House.
Other Florida Democrats who are behind Clinton include Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant, former state CFO Alex Sink, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, State Attorney Dave Aronberg, former state Sen. Dan Gelber, former state Sen. Nan Rich who ran for governor in 2014, former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, Florida Education Association President Joanne McCall, Florida NOW President Terry Sanders, Democratic strategist Christian Ulvert and Ashley Walker who led Barack Obama's efforts in Florida.
The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) quickly took aim at Clinton.
"Unfortunately for Hillary Clinton, a list of liberal endorsements won’t erase her unsuccessful record as Secretary of State, the negative headlines haunting her campaign, or the FBI investigation into her secret email server," said Wadi Gaitan, a spokesman for the RPOF, on Tuesday.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
