Florida Democratic Party reveals key staffing changes

Bittel Headshot

More changes are coming to the Florida Democratic Party.

Stephen Bittel, the chairman of the state party, announced several key staffing changes, including the promotions of Roosevelt Holmes and Johanna Cervone, Monday.

In a statement, Bittel said the state party has seen a resurgence in recent months, and he is confident the “new Florida Democratic Party will build the strongest most effective grassroots infrastructure in the entire country as we turn Florida back to blue in 2018.”

Bittel added that Holmes has been promoted to the state party’s political director, while Cervone has been promoted to the organization’s communications director.

Holmes previously served as the deputy political director, and worked on successful Democratic campaigns at all levels, including then-candidate Barack Obama’s 2008 president campaign and Orland Mayor Buddy Dyer’s 2012 re-election campaign. He also worked in Rep. Kathy Castor’s office, for the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Education and Workforce, and served in the Government Affairs and Public Policy Department of the UNCF. He joined the FDP in October 2015.

Cervone joined the state party earlier this year and served as the party’s deputy communications director. Prior to that, she served as the South Florida regional press secretary for the Hillary for Florida campaign, and served a stint as communications director for Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava. She got her start in politics in government working on Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign.

Bittel also announced Monday:

Georgette Brammer will serve as deputy finance director. Brammer joined the Obama for America finance team in 2007 after attending the University of Miami for political science. She spent five years at the U.S. Department of Transportation as the director of scheduling and advance, before joining Ambassador Michael Froman at the Office of the United States Trade Representative as director of scheduling and advance. Most recently, she was the sales coordinator for group and luxury leisure sales at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort.

Amir Ahmadiavin will serve as a communications specialist.

Erika Ann Grohoski Peralta will serve as a field specialist.

Staff Reports


11 comments

  • Bittel just keeps on failing!

    May 22, 2017 at 10:24 pm

    Nice how they left out the part that Roosevelt was fired from the State Senate, was a paid canvasser in 08, has never managed a campaign … etc. wonder what they mean by all levels? He has definitely lied at all levels.

    • Kathryn Norris

      May 23, 2017 at 8:06 am

      Where did you find this information? I am looking

    • DonkeyBite

      May 23, 2017 at 9:05 pm

      Of course the Troll ignores this from the release: “Holmes previously served as the deputy political director, and worked on successful Democratic campaigns at all levels, including then-candidate Barack Obama’s 2008 president campaign and Orland Mayor Buddy Dyer’s 2012 re-election campaign. He also worked in Rep. Kathy Castor’s office, for the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Education and Workforce, and served in the Government Affairs and Public Policy Department of the UNCF. He joined the FDP in October 2015.”

  • Cynthia chestnut

    May 23, 2017 at 1:16 am

    I am so proud of my boys, Roosevelt and Amir! Great moves

  • Altaf Ahmed

    May 23, 2017 at 1:59 am

    Roosevelt Holmes congratulations! & Other teem members.
    As a Grassroots worker we have to lot of work In order to make below Florida againe. Action is powerful more than words. We need a Unity more then before.

  • Bob Remmen

    May 23, 2017 at 6:47 am

    I am looking forward to working with Johanna Cervone.

  • Gita

    May 23, 2017 at 8:54 am

    Congrats Johanna & Roosevelt! Look forward to seeing you both turn Florida Blue!

  • Paul

    May 23, 2017 at 9:39 am

    Grassroots? Lmao! Bittel bought himself into the party. Great way to destroy it!

  • dane strother

    May 23, 2017 at 11:17 pm

    Great news. The FDP DESPERATELY needed new leadership at the top as evidence of a decade of failure. The deadwood has finally been removed and now we can take back Tallahassee.

  • Elizabeth Rodríguez

    May 24, 2017 at 2:19 am

    Congratulations!

  • Patricia Lavins

    May 24, 2017 at 10:12 am

    The Indian River Democrats have been responsible for the loss of confidence of the voters. This is because of their commitment to support the candidacy of Corry Westbrook. As a legal resident of Washington, D, C, she was not eligible for voting rights in Florida. Her illegal and unethical actions have been the reason for a loss of respect for the Democrats and it was evidenced in the 2014 and 2016 elections.

    The Florida Democrat Party has done nothing to address the situation that was initiated by a whistle blower. The situation now resides with David Fuggett of the Florida Division of Elections. He has more than sufficient evidence to make an arrest and prosecute Corry Westbrook for her illegal and unethical actions.

Comments are closed.


#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, Anne Geggis, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Gray Rohrer, Jesse Scheckner, Christine Sexton, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704




Sign up for Sunburn


Categories