LGBTQ+ Democrats Announce Congressional & State Legislative Endorsements
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 7, 2020
DELRAY BEACH, FL – Today the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus is announcing its next round of congressional and state legislative endorsements for the 2020 election. Our caucus membership and local chapters in Alachua, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota counties have reviewed and endorsed the following candidates for the Florida Legislature. Our state caucus and chapter endorsement processes are continuing over the coming weeks.
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
| Candidate | U.S. House District | Chapter Endorsements |
| Pam Keith | 18 | Rusty Gordon LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus of the Palm Beaches |
FLORIDA SENATE
| Candidate | Senate District | Chapter Endorsements |
| Victor Torres | 15 | Rainbow Democrats (Orange) |
| Kathy Lewis | 20 | Hillsborough County LGBTA Democratic Caucus, Pasco County LGBTA Democratic Caucus, Rainbow Ridge LGBTA Democratic Caucus of Polk County |
| Amanda Linton | 21 | Hillsborough County LGBTA Democratic Caucus, Manatee LGBTA Democratic Caucus |
| Javier Fernandez | 39 | Miami-Dade LGBTA Democratic Caucus |
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
| Candidate | House District | Chapter Endorsements |
| Spyros “Speed” Chialtas | 12 | |
| Jay McGovern | 15 | |
| Yvonne Hinson | 20 | Stonewall Democrats of Alachua County |
| Kayser Enneking | 21 | Stonewall Democrats of Alachua County |
| Sara Zutter | 25 | |
| Lee Mangold | 28 | |
| Tracey Kagan | 29 | |
| Ryan Morales | 32 | |
| Samuel Vilchez Santiago | 48 | Rainbow Democrats (Orange) |
| Patricia Plantamura | 66 | Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County |
| Jennifer Webb | 69 | Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County |
| Drake Buckman | 72 | Stonewall Democratic Caucus of Sarasota County |
| David Fairey | 73 | Stonewall Democratic Caucus of Sarasota County |
| Lisa Stortstrom | 74 | Stonewall Democratic Caucus of Sarasota County |
| Kelly Skidmore | 81 | Rusty Gordon LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus of the Palm Beaches |
| David Silvers | 87 | Rusty Gordon LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus of the Palm Beaches |
| Omari Hardy | 88 | Rusty Gordon LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus of the Palm Beaches |
| Michael Tisdol | 102 | Miami-Dade LGBTA Democratic Caucus |
| Sarah McFadden | 106 | |
| Annette Collazo | 110 | Miami-Dade LGBTA Democratic Caucus |
| Ross Hancock | 111 | Miami-Dade LGBTA Democratic Caucus |
| Clint Barras | 120 | Miami-Dade LGBTA Democratic Caucus |
Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President Stephen Gaskill issued the following statement on the Caucus’ endorsement:
“We have a rigorous endorsement process in order to identify the best candidates to represent the LGBTQ+ community. We are thrilled to make these endorsements along with our local chapters and support these candidates for Congress and the Florida Legislature because they are committed to full LGBTQ+ equality. We look forward to working with them to protect LGBTQ Floridians from discrimination and advance the cause of equality.”
Susan McGrath, Campaign Director of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, highlighted the opportunities for Democrats:
“This is the strongest field of pro-equality Democrats running for office in Florida in recent memory. We have a real opportunity to flip a number of GOP-held seats in Congress and the Florida Legislature. Our community is proud to support so many equality champions and we look forward to working with them in Tallahassee and Washington next year.”
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