The New Democrat Coalition in Congress is taking on an increasingly Florida feel.
Established in 1997, the New Democrat Coalition insists it is “dedicated to maintaining America’s standing as the world’s strongest, most successful nation" while its members “believe firmly in the power of American ingenuity and innovation, and are focused on finding ways to foster and harness this creativity to grow our economy, create new American jobs, and ensure a safer and more secure future for our country.
The group is currently led by U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wisc., and three of its members are part of the Florida delegation: U.S. Reps. Gwen Graham, Patrick Murphy and Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Graham is headed to the sidelines, declining to run for a second term after the latest round of redistricting made her district far more favorable to the GOP. Murphy opted to run for the U.S. Senate instead of a third term in the House but failed to knock off U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., earlier this month.
Despite that, four new members of the Florida delegation--incoming U.S. Reps. Charlie Crist, Val Demings, Stephanie Murphy and Darren Soto--will be joining the New Democrat Coalition along with six other new members from across the country.
“In a year that was filled with disappointment adding to the New Dem ranks offers a bright spot,” Kind insisted on Friday as the new members were announced. “The New Democrat Coalition is proud to induct these ten accomplished and dedicated members-elect into our growing coalition. Together we look forward to advancing key priorities including growing the economy, giving everyone a shot at the American Dream, making government work better, and keeping our nation secure.”
Other past members from Florida include former U.S. Reps. Jim Davis, who came up short against Crist, then a Republican in the 2006 gubernatorial race; Peter Deutsch; Joe Garcia; and Tim Mahoney.
Then U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., the father on Congresswoman Graham, helped form the Senate New Democrat Coalition which is now defunct. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., was a member of it.
