MEET THE 2010 DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES
The 2010 Elections
Now is the time to start on the 2010 Election campaign! Come back and visit this site from now through the November elections as candidate information, primary results, and endorsements are continuously updated.
Click on candidate's names to visit their websites or Facebook pages to learn more about them.
This campaign update has been prepared by DEC Vice Chair Phil Schaeffer. Contact Phil with any questions or comments.
Monroe County Democrats need your help to succeed in the challenge and the opportunity of the 2010 election. Come to our meetings, respond positively to our neighborhood organizers and get involved today. Come back to this page often as we move through the year to watch the progress of candidate filings and actual qualifications leading up to the Primary Elections on August 24th.
July 26 - Last day to register to vote in the Primary Election or to change your party affiliation.
August 9 - Early Voting Starts for the Primary Election (8:30-4:30 M-Sat)
August 18 - Last Day to Request an Absentee Ballot for the Primary Election
August 24 - Primary Election
Including Judge and School Board Races as well as the Referendum on electing vs appointing the Monroe County Superintendent of Schools
October 4 - Last day to register to vote in the General Election
October 18 - Early Voting Starts for the General Election (8:30-4:30 M-Sat)
October 27 - Last Day to Request an Absentee Ballot for the General Election
November 2 - General Election
Remember that Florida is a "closed" primary state. If you wish to vote for a partisan candidate in the primary you must be a registered voter in the party for which the primary is being held. * Races are Partisan unless otherwise indicated (Incumbent - Party if applicable).
National Offices
• U.S. Senator - Open Seat
Winning this seat has very important ramifications for the progressive policy goals of our President and the Democratic Congress. Maintaining an all-important majority in the Senate is key to the successful passage of meaningful reform-based legislation. Turning this Senate seat, now held by a Republican, into an integral part of a Democratic majority is crucial to our agenda.
At the start of the year six Democrats had filed to run for the office of U.S. Senator. Most visible among these candidates are Congressman Kendrick Meek (FL-17) of Miami, Maurice Ferre, former 6-term Mayor of Miami, Jeff Greene of Palm Beach, and Glen Burkett of Naples.
• U.S. Representative ( FL-18) - Ileana Ros-Lehtinen - R - Incumbent
Ros-Lehtinen will be challenged by Miami realtor, Democrat Rolando Banciella.
Statewide Offices
The Statewide races are where all of Florida's Democratic voters can make a tremendous difference. To have the entire Cabinet made up of elected Democrats will change the direction of Florida for a long time to come.
Note: The Florida Cabinet is a body of the government of Florida that engages in the collective governance of the state. Created following Reconstruction, when there had been a widespread distrust of the governors appointed by the federal government, the cabinet was designed to decentralize authority from the Governor. The meetings of the Governor and Cabinet are chaired by the Governor and the three cabinet members: Chief Financial Officer, Attorney General,and the Commissioner of Agriculture. Each member is popularly elected by the state and carries one vote in executive decisions. In the case of a tie, the vote cast by the Governor decides the outcome.
• Governor and Lt. Governor
The most important impact in electing a Democrat will be in the Governor's Office. In Florida the Republicans have a majority in both houses of the legislature, making the governor's race the only realistic chance that Democrats have to influence the redistricting process to alter this makeup. Alex Sink, the current Chief Financial Officer for the state of Florida, and only Democrat in the current Cabinet, is the leading Democratic candidate according to all polls.
The only other Democratic candidate for Governor is Brian Moore of Spring Hill.
Candidates for the office of Governor and all other Cabinet offices below must have completed and filed their qualification papers in order to be included in the Primary Election by noon on June 18th. We will list all qualified candidates eligible for the primary at that time.
• Attorney General
The Attorney General serves as the chief legal officer of the state.
We have two excellent Democratic candidates in the race for this important office: State Senator Dave Aronberg and State Senator Dan Gelber. Both candidates have pledged to be the legal representatives of the people that elected them, not of the lobbyists and powerful interest groups.
Be sure to learn about these exciting candidates and be prepared to vote your choice in the Primary Election on August 24th.
• CFO - Chief Financial Officer
This office is currently held by Alex Sink who is now running for Governor.
The Chief Financial Officer is the constitutional statewide elected official who manages the state's accounting and auditing functions, monitors the investment of state funds, investigates financial fraud, licenses and exercises oversight of insurance agents and agencies, ensures that Florida businesses have workers' compensation coverage, safeguards unclaimed property, helps consumers with financial services issues and serves as the state fire marshal, investigating arson and promoting fire safety.
State Representative Loranne Ausley of Tallahassee (FL-9) is the Democratic nominee. • Commissioner of Agriculture
This Commissioner is in charge of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. In addition to overseeing Florida's important agricultural industry this Department is one of the most important consumer protection agencies in the state. Their mission is to safeguard the public and support Florida's agricultural economy by; ensuring the safety and wholesomeness of food and other consumer products through inspection and testing programs; protecting consumers from unfair and deceptive business practices and providing consumer information; assisting Florida's farmers and agricultural industries with the production and promotion of agricultural products; and conserving and protecting the state's agricultural and natural resources by reducing wildfires, promoting environmentally safe agricultural practices, and managing public lands.
Scott Maddox, former head of the Florida Democratic Party and former Mayor of Tallahassee, is is the Democratic nominee. FLORIDA STATE REPRESENTATIVE – District 120
Representative Ron Saunders is running for re-election to this position. His victory is important statewide as, assuming the Republicans retain control of the House, he will then become the very influential House Minority Leader in the next legislative session. You can also learn about Ron at his website or on his Facebook page.
RUN FOR OFFICE - Learn how the Monroe County DEC can help you run for one of these important local offices!
• County Commissioner
• District 2 - No Democratic Candidate
• District 4 - No Democratic Candidate
• Monroe School Board (Nonpartisan Race)
• District 1 The incumbent announced that he will not stand for re-election in 2010
Key West resident Rob Smith-Martin, a Democrat, has announced his candidacy for this seat.
• District 4 - No Democratic Candidate
• District 5 (Dr. Debra Walker - D, Key Largo)
Dr. Debra Walker is running for re-election. She is being challenged by Democrats Bruce Swango and Ron Martin.
• Mosquito Control Board
• District 2 (Dick Rudell - R , Bay Point to west side of 74th Street, Marathon)
Rudell is running for re-election. He is being challenged by Democrats Jay Marzella (D) of Little Torch Key and Daniel Dombroski of Big Pine Key.
• District 5 - No Democratic Candidate
• County Judge (Nonpartisan Race)
• Group 1 (Peary Fowler) - Elected (No opponent)
• Group 3 (Reagan Ptomey)
Assistant State Attorney Demetrios Efstratiou, has announced his candidacy to contest this seat in Group 3
• Group 4 (Ruth Becker) - Elected (No opponent)
• Marathon City Council
* 3 seats are up for election in 2010
Democrat Pete Worthington will be seeking a fourth term in this election. Democrats Larry Shaffer, David Maimon, and "Bicycle" Joanie Nelson have also entered this race.
• Key Largo Wastewater Board (Nonpartisan Race)
* 3 seats are up for election in 2010
• Raymond Pino (D) is a Democrat running for a seat on this Board
• Key Largo Fire & Emergency Medical Board (Nonpartisan Race)
* 2 seats are up for election in 2010
• Seat 2 Democrat Kent Van Winkle is running for this Seat
• Seat 4 Democrat Michael Edgerton is running for this Seat