Mitch Perry
Sarasota businesswoman and community activist Ruta Jouniari has won the endorsement of the Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus in her bid for the House District 72 special election.
“Democrats across the country, and especially here in Florida, are on a winning streak, and we intend to keep that going by electing Ruta Jouniari,” said Caucus President Terry Fleming. “Ruta’s business background and experience in health care will bring needed leadership in Tallahassee for her Sarasota constituents.”
Jouniari faces Sarasota attorney Margaret Good in the Democratic HD 72 primary, which takes place on December 5.
Jouniari co-founded Universal Crescent Clinic, a nonprofit to provide free medical care to uninsured people in Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto and Charlotte counties.
The primary winner will then advance to the general election February 13, 2018.
A special election was called after Republican Alex Miller unexpectedly stepped down from the seat in August; she had served less than a year in office.
In the GOP primary, Realtor James Buchanan, the son of Congressman Vern Buchanan, is running against Alexandra Coe. Libertarian Alison Foxall is also in the contest.
