Miami Conference: After enduring significant losses in the 2018 midterm elections, the Florida Democratic Party planned to spend this weekend in Miami Beach at an event focused on party unity and preparation for a prosperous 2019.
Bradley Whitford was scheduled to speak at the annual Leadership Blue affair hosted by the Florida Democratic Party. New party officials such as chair Nikki Fried, Senate minority leader Lauren Book, and House minority leader Fentrice Driskell were also present at the event.
Fried, who ran unsuccessfully for governor in last year’s primary, will host the annual gala at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach for the first time. Shortly after registration opened, the event purportedly sold out even before the keynote speakers were confirmed. For those who were unable to obtain tickets, Fried organised a viewing party via live stream.
According to Book, the purpose of the conference is to “build a game plan” for 2024, with abortion, cost-effective education, worker rights, and public safety as its primary focuses.
The weekend began on Friday night with opening remarks, continued throughout the day on Saturday, and concluded on Sunday afternoon with voter registration. Florida activists, elected officials, and leaders attended a series of panels on Saturday to learn about the state party’s abortion ballot initiative, election messaging, firearms safety, and voter registration procedures.
On the following Saturday and Sunday in West Palm Beach, the conservative organisation Turning Point USA will host its annual Student Action Summit. Democrats opposed legislation signed into law on July 1 by Governor Ron DeSantis, including looser gun-carrying restrictions, bans on classroom instruction on gender identity and sexuality from kindergarten through eighth grade, tougher immigration laws, and prohibitions on gender-affirming care for minors.
This weekend’s rally is one of the year’s few significant Democratic gatherings scheduled for Florida. Florida was omitted from the list of 26 states that Vice President Joe Biden and other prominent Democrats, such as Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, will visit during their recently announced tour.
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Expect panels, seminars, and action this weekend from Florida Democrats. In Miami
Rolando Barrero, the president of the Palm Beach County Democratic Hispanic Caucus and a participant in Leadership Blue, stated last week that he was looking forward to hearing from the Youth Council because he was inquisitive about the state party’s efforts to excite the next generation of voters.
Representative Lois Frankel of the United States House of Representatives from West Palm Beach stated that while Leadership Blue events are excellent for energising leaders and activists, the “real work” begins afterward with voter registration and motivation. Frankel described the weekend’s top concerns, which included “bread and butter” issues such as rising costs and property insurance, and “freedom issues” such as the rights of women and the LGBTQ+ community.
State Representative Jervonte Edmonds, representing West Palm Beach, was enthusiastic about Leadership Blue’s educational activities and the opportunity to “bond and build close relationships.” According to him, this weekend’s activities would focus on learning “how to take the offensive instead of playing defence.” He stated that this is the Democratic Party’s agenda.
