Demonstrating that a lot of the political energy in the progressive parts of the Democratic Party lies with fresher faces, the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida has unveiled its congressional slate for the Aug. 18 primary elections.
There’s not an incumbent among them.
In some cases, that’s because some of those incumbents are running unopposed in their Democratic primary races next month (such as Kathy Castor and Darren Soto) or have already won their races (Maxwell Frost).
However in competitive primaries such as in South Florida’s Congressional Districts 20 and 25, the Progressive Caucus is jettisoning support for Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Jared Moskowitz, respectively, for their more left-leaning challengers. Here’s the list of the endorsements:
- Congressional District 1: Gay Valimont
- Congressional District 2: Brice Barnes & Yen Bailey
- Congressional District 3: Seth Harp
- Congressional District 4: Brit Robinson
- Congressional District 5: Alex Hazen
- Congressional District 6: Eric Yonce
- Congressional District 7: Marialana Kinter
- Congressional District 11: Royal Webster
- Congressional District 12: Kimberly Overman
- Congressional District 15: Robert People
- Congressional District 16: Glenn Pearson
- Congressional District 19: Howard Sapp
- Congressional District 20: Elijah Manley
- Congressional District 21: Bernard Taylor
- Congressional District 24: Shevrin Jones
- Congressional District 25: Oliver Larkin
- Congressional District 26: Nicole Locklin
The Progressive Caucus is also supporting state Rep. Angie Nixon over Alex Vindman for U.S. Senate, and Earle Ford over Annette Taddeo for Chief Financial Officer.
“Our slate represents a diverse group of talented fighters that will fight for Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, and Block the Bombs in the halls of Congress,” said Matthew Grocholske, president of the caucus, in a written statement. “They are labor union organizers, state lawmakers, non-profit leaders, veterans, and community advocates fighting for a better future. We are proud to endorse our primary election slate and to build a better Florida for all.”
Seven Democrats represent Florida’s 28 congressional districts. (An eighth Democrat, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, resigned from Congressional District 20 in April).