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In the race to become the next Florida Democratic Party chair, a position left vacant by ousted Stephen Bittel, Palm Beach County Democratic Chair Terrie Rizzo is already hoarding endorsements.

In her two-day grassroots bid to be the next state party leader, Rizzo announced Wednesday over 20 endorsements, which she says account for more than 40 percent of the vote necessary to secure the chairmanship.

Here are the names of those who have endorsed her:

Martin County State Committeewoman, Cristina De La Vega
Clay County State Committeeman, Bobby Poole
Hillsborough County State Committeeman, Russ Patterson
Hillsborough County DEC Chair, Ione Townsend
Student Caucus, Justin Atkins
Orange County State Committeeman, Doug Head
Osceola County State Committeeman, Casmore Shaw
Palm Beach County State Committeewoman, Deidre Newton
Palm Beach County State Committeeman, John Ramos
Pasco County State Committeeman, John Ford
Polk County DEC Chair, Shawn Kinsey
Charlotte County State Committeewoman, Lucy Garner
Charlotte County State Committeeman, Tom Garner
Collier County Chair, Yudy Barbera
Marion County State Committeewoman, Joyce Blake
Marion County State Committeeman, Marc Bruzdziak
Escambia County State Committeeman, Keith Hardy
Escambia County State Committeewoman, Dianne Krumel
Martin County State Committeeman, David Dew
Disability Caucus Chair, Bill Rettinger
Jewish Caucus Chair, Mark Winer
Small County Coalition Chair, Wendy Williams

The hasty election comes after Bittel resigned following reports that he was demeaning toward women in the workplace, and systematically talked about sex with female staffers. Before the former leader officially stepped down from his post, a date for the election of his successor was scheduled for Dec. 9.

So far, Rizzo and Hillsborough County State Committeewoman Alma Gonzalez are in the race. Monica Russo is rumored to jump in the race.

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14 comments

Giancarlo Espinosa
November 22, 2017 at 7:51 pm

Hello, I noticed that this post was only done about 4 hours ago but you have failed to include Stacey Patel who has announced today and there has been an amazing social media Frenzy in support of her. I can show you some information from Facebook and lead you to a group where you can get information as well of her progress. Thanks!
David P Henry
November 22, 2017 at 8:24 pm

For the Record Stacey Patel of the Brevard County DEC is in the running as well, btw we are the Space Coast. Donald Trump did just invest what approx 16 billion dollars in our NASA, Space X is here, Patrick Air Force Base is here along with Unite Launch Alliance at the very same space center. Btw our port canaveral is now an International port established by Rick Scott, our Sheriff Wayne Ivey is personal pals with 45 which means he visits here all the time and drives down our i95 interstate. We are a Red County in Red State and we have got the most turn around than any other county, and best of our Stacey Patel is not establishment which is the will of the people that FDP and the DNC cant seem to get. BTW she is also married to a person of color, not that it matters ijs….. ok maybe just a little.
- Sharon Kolor
  November 25, 2017 at 4:47 pm
  
  I am happy to make one positive correction to your post: Brevard is a red county in a BLUE state! Yes, that’s right. Blue by a couple of hundred thousand. FL Dems to vote and we are winners! Why don’t Dems vote? We have to find out.
  - Jeannette Westlake
    November 27, 2017 at 6:57 pm
    
    Sharon Kolor, Stacey Patel got Democratic turnout in Brevard to rise enough that in several recent local races where registered Republican voters significantly outnumbered their Democratic couterparts, the Democratic candidates were able to score significant victories. She knows how to get out the votes for Democratic candidates. If she can do that for Brevard, one of the reddest counties in the nation, just imagine what she can do for blue Florida.
    - Sharon Kolor
      November 28, 2017 at 9:32 pm
      
      Impressive. Who are the winning Dems? I want to read up on that if I can.
      - Sharon Kolor
        November 28, 2017 at 9:34 pm
        
        Impressive. Who are the winning Dems? I would like to read up on them. (My previous post had an incorrect email address.)
Giancarlo Espinosa
November 22, 2017 at 8:28 pm

Hello, I am just spreading the news that grassroots leadership superstar and Brevard County DEC Chair Stacey Patel has announced today and there has been an amazing social media Frenzy in support of her from all around the state. I can show you some information from Facebook and lead you to a group where you can get information as well of her progress. You can see it yourself if you search for the Facebook group called ” this is #ourparty. stacey for fdp.” Thanks!

Giancarlo from Key West
Jessica Garafola
November 23, 2017 at 8:56 am

What’s wrong with you? Stacey Patel doesn’t get a mention? She’s going to take the position and we are going to approach our Party via grassroots. Terrie Rizzo is damn near irrelevant.
David Moore
November 23, 2017 at 10:13 am

Although comments regarding the space coast and Stacy Patel makes her an outstanding candidate for Republican of the year.
David Moore
November 23, 2017 at 10:15 am

All the comments regarding the space coast and Stacy Patel makes her an outstanding candidate for Republican of the year.
- Giancarlo Espinosa
  November 23, 2017 at 11:36 am
  
  So in your eyes, someone who organizes grassroots campaigns getting big money out of politics, promotes single payer healthcare is republican? 😂😂😂 thanks for giving my morning a laugh
- Cameron Carew
  November 23, 2017 at 6:54 pm
  
  Stacey is not a Republican, and we do not appreciate the hatchet job that you’re trying to do. If you would like to smear all of the grassroots energy that the people of Brevard, and all over the state have, then go right ahead. But if you want to get in to the business of getting busy in the fight for justice, then either join us or step aside. If you think Stacey is a Republican, then I would be proud if you called me the same.
Carol Spring
November 24, 2017 at 11:36 pm

Way to go getting nasty in the comments up there, folks. It’s common for a candidate who has some key endorsements to be written up in the news, blogs and such but I guess not everyone has been around politics for very long. Terri Rizzo is a seasoned, fair, intelligent, organized, inclusive woman AND an exceptional motivator and fundraiser. She is highly respected around Palm Beach County, Florida and nationally too. I have dear friends who are also supporting Ms Patel so, I’m sure she would be an excellent choice if elected, but for someone to state that Terrie Rizzo would be irrelevant. Just No! Ms Patel would be able to learn a great deal from Mrs Rizzo, and bring the various splinters of our State party together again. Something sorely lacking for a long time here in FL-duh. Lets all work to make our state and our party better and stronger, not more splintered. PLEASE!
Robert H. Averack
November 26, 2017 at 9:56 pm

I’ve had the honor of knowing Palm Beach County DEC Chair Terrie Rizzo for a little more than a year. Terrie is one of the most tireless, committed, well organized, intelligent, conscientious, affable and inspirational people I’ve ever known during my 30 years of involvement in state and local politics. Terrie is a natural born leader who leads by example. She is totally her own woman, and she has no predisposition toward any faction. She’s a faithful Democrat who has also led DCCA as the Chair of Chairs with grace and a spirit of boundless energy. Through her work leading The Palm Beach County DEC (Florida’s third largest) and DCCA and her work as a member of the Florida delegation to the DNC, Terrie has gained national exposure and respect from Key West to Seattle and from Honolulu to Bangor. As such, Terrie Rizzo is ready to take the gavel and lead Florida Democrats on our mission to flip Florida blue and achieve a better Florida. I enthusiastically urge my fellow Florida Democrats to join me in supporting a great Democrat and an amazing woman, Terrie Rizzo in her quest to become the next Chair of the Florida Democratic Party.