Scott Powers
Susannah Randolph‘s long involvement advocating for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community has won her a Congressional District 9 endorsement from one of the few openly gay people to be elected to Congress, U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan.
The Wisconsin Democrat announced his endorsement of Randolph for the packed Democratic race in CD 9, which includes south Orange County, Osceola County, and a corner of Polk County.
Pocan cited Randolph’s strong progressive record and early commitment to LGBT causes, notably marriage equality. Randolph has been both a political activist and a congressional staffer, and worked on the causes in both capacities.
“Susannah fought for marriage equality when it seemed impossible in places like Florida, helping to organize one of the first wedding ceremonies in the state,” Pocan stated in a news release issued by Randolph’s campaign. “But Susannah knows the fight for equality is far from over. I look forward to working with her to ensure that all our working families get a fair shot to do what they love in life, and can share that life with who they truly love.”
The district is now represented by Orlando Democratic Congressman Alan Grayson, who is running for Florida’s U.S. Senate seat, and not for re-election.
Randolph is Grayson’s former campaign manager and congressional district director, but she might not get her former boss’s endorsement. Grayson’s life companion, Dr. Dena Minning, a biochemical researcher, also is running for Congress in CD 9.
Neither of them are leading. State Sen. Darren Soto, another Orlando Democrat who also is running there and the only released poll in the race showed him with a sizable lead. Also running are former state Rep. Ricardo Rangel, and Osceola political activist Valleri Crabtree, who is openly gay.
The district has a strong Democratic lean, though the court-ordered Florida congressional redistricting has reduced that lean. Kissimmee Vice Mayor Wanda Rentas and St. Cloud businessman Wayne Liebnitzky have filed to run for the Republicans.
In the release, Randolph said she is “humbled” to receive Pocan’s endorsement on the anniversary of the court decision that legalized gay marriage in Florida, and “I would be honored to continue that fight alongside Rep. Pocan in Congress.”
