Mitch Perry
The Hillsborough County Democratic Hispanic Caucus is endorsing Alan Clendenin in the race for Florida Democratic Party chair.
“The Hispanic population has grown exponentially to become the largest minority in Hillsborough County and the State. Hispanics now account in Hillsborough alone for over twenty-five percent of the population or one in every four persons. Alan understands our issues and has always stood by us whenever we needed help.” according to Hispanic Caucus President, William “Bill” Guerra.
It was a rare show of support for Clendenin in his home county, as the statewide election among Democrats for party chair takes place Saturday in Orlando.
Clendenin was compelled to move to Bradford County in North Florida after losing his bid for state committeeman in Hillsborough County last month to Russ Patterson.
Adding insult to injury, the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee’s Steering Committee announced earlier this week they were supporting Stephen Bittel in the race for FDP chair, a vote angering some members of the party.
That vote was referred to in the news release issued out by the Hillsborough County Democratic Hispanic Caucus.
As voting members of the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee (HCDEC) Steering Committee who attended last Monday night’s Steering Committee meeting, we are disappointed in the news media statements that have appeared yesterday and today of our HCDEC Chair implying that the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee Steering Committee supports a certain candidate for State Party Chair when no official motion was ever offered to support any candidate at the Monday night meeting nor was any vote taken by the Hillsborough County Steering Committee membership on Monday night that includes our vote as the Hillsborough County Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida.
Victor DiMaio with the Hillsborough County Democratic Hispanic Caucus says their membership consists of approximately 20 people.
