Staff Reports
Election Day is still five months off, but it’s never too early kick off your ground game in today’s nearly permanent campaign seasons.
The weekend will be chock-full of electioneering activity. Here’s a listing of some of what’s going on from April 30-May 1, during the so-called “off-season”:
Saturday, April 30
The Democratic Progressive Caucus will hold its annual convention Saturday, where the left-leaning group led by Tampa-area stalwart Susan Smith will conduct official business, socialize, and participate in an Election Project Workshop. Attendees will research Florida House district statistics and demographics, create a campaign message, determine win numbers, identify targets, and make a team campaign ad. Prizes will be awarded. The convention begins at 9 a.m. at the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association, 3102 N. Habana Ave., Tampa.
The Greater Sunrise Democratic Club will meet Saturday for its inaugural awards breakfast. On the host committee are Democratic National Chair U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, state Reps. Katie Edwards and Shevrin Jones, and Congressional District 23 candidate Tim Canova. Among those awardees honored at the event will be Senate hopeful Lauren Book, for her work with Lauren’s Kids, and Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel, who will be named 2016 Democrat of the Year.
Rep. Mike Miller will host his campaign’s first door-knocking event of 2016 from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Supporters will gather at the Mead Botanical Garden, 1500 S. Denning Drive in Winter Park. For more information, email [email protected] or call 407- 747-1436.
Orlando-area Republican Rep. Bob Cortes will also kick off his 2016 door-knocking regime with an event on Saturday. Supporters will congregate at the Sports Authority parking lot at 380 S. State Road 434, Altamonte Springs.
Florida House GOP hopeful Katherine Van Zant is hosting a “Blues & Barbecue”-themed event in honor of Department of Corrections officers, a major constituent group in her prospective HD 19 district. Former Department of Corrections Secretary Timothy Cannon will be on hand. The event is set for 4-7 p.m. at 21142 S.W. County Road 237 in Brooker.
Sunday, May 1
The campaign team of Rep. Matt Gaetz will be out and about speaking to voters in Destin and Pensacola this Sunday as he keeps his bid for Congress rolling in Northwest Florida’s CD 1. For more information, contact Ryan Smith at [email protected].
