Ryan Ray
In what is shaping up to be an expensive battle to succeed former Senate President Gwen Margolis in District 35, Andrew Korge is starting his campaign with a fundraiser with an impressive roster of supporters. They include major Democratic contributors and elected officials from across Miami-Dade.
Former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, Cutler Bay Mayor Peggy Bell, South Miami Mayor Phillip Stoddard and Palm Beach State Attorney Dave Aronberg are among the 25 current and former elected officials on the host committee, which is still in formation.
A copy of the invitation can be found here.
Combining hard and soft money, Korge aims to raise $100,000 from the event. That figure would double what Richardson has raised in the same period of his declared 2016 candidacy.
“People are excited about the movement we’re building,” Korge told SaintPetersBlog on Friday. “Whether it’s preparing South Florida for sea level rise or common-sense stances on social issues, we need new leadership to fully bring Florida into the 21st century.”
Though he says he is pleased with the support he has amassed already, Korge suggested that “there’s more on the way.”
Korge and Rep. David Richardson have been engaged in something of a standoff involving the District 35 seat. While both claim some level of support from Margolis, many saw Richardson’s recent move to file paperwork for the seat in 2016 as disrespectful to the Dean of the Senate.
Korge’s campaign account is open for the seat in 2020, but should Margolis pivot after Session and decide to retire, he would be well-positioned to pursue the seat.
