Veteran Democratic operative Joshua Romero has joined Chris King’s gubernatorial campaign as political director and adviser.
Romero most recently worked as Florida Deputy Political Director for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and as field director for President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. He has also held campaign positions with Democrats Bob Poe, Annette Taddeo, and Kendrick Meek.
“I chose a political newcomer over the established names in this race because I believe Chris’s message is what the Democratic Party needs right now to break the one-party GOP rule in Tallahassee,” Romero said.
The former U.S. Marine echoed those sentiments in his email introduction to King’s supporters Friday. After the usual requests for campaign contributions, he told supporters what drew him into the Orlando entrepreneur’s camp.
“I joined this campaign because I believe in Chris’s vision — supporting a homegrown Florida economy, investing in affordable housing, ending discrimination, and so much more,” he wrote.
The hire was praised by Omar Khan, a senior adviser to King, who said he was “thrilled that Florida’s top political talent are responding to Chris’ vision for better days ahead for Florida.”
King is one of a handful of Democrats who have already entered the race to take over for term-limited Republican Gov. Rick Scott in 2018. So far, his primary challengers are former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum.