Now that the 2014 elections are (thankfully) behind them, Florida Democrats are looking to strengthen their battered brand through a strategy for 2016 and beyond.
With a list of prominent Democratic leaders from across the state, the Florida Democratic Party announced on Thursday the creation of its Leadership Expansion to Advance Democrats (LEAD) Task Force.
Co-chaired by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and former Orlando Police Chief Val Demings, LEAD is part of the Party’s effort to “retool,” support recruitment, and improve field and outreach performance.
According to an FDP statement, the Task Force will examine returns of the recently completed election and develop a new strategy in an attempt to avoid the drubbing the Party received in 2014, ahead of the 2016 presidential race.
Democratic elected officials in the LEAD team include state Reps. Amanda Murphy and Jose Javier Rodriguez; state Sen. Dwight Bullard, who serves as Miami-Dade DEC chair; Leon County Commissioner Nick Maddox and former State Senator and FDP Chair Rod Smith.
Other members include former Florida OFA State Director Ashley Walker, Hispanic community activist Ana Cruz, FEA Policy Director Jeff Wright; LGBT community leader Joe Falk; SEIU State Council President Monica Russo; FDP Congressional District 2 Representative Patricia Byrd and Palm Beach DEC Chair Terrie Rizzo.
The FDP outlined three goals in determining what Florida Democrats need to reverse the direction of the 2014 elections, and compete in both the 2016 presidential election and the 2018 gubernatorial race:
- Review best practices for candidate recruitment in races for local, state and federal offices.
- Examine data and the Party’s digital footprint to find ways to incorporate the latest technologies.
- Assess field and turnout operations and recommend improvements
Task Force will then present its recommendations at the 2015 Leadership Blue weekend, the FDP’s premier annual fundraising and agenda-setting event.
