Personnel note: Fla. Dems promote Roosevelt Holmes, announce new hires

The Florida Democratic Party announced a slew of new hires and one promotion Tuesday as it gears up for the 2018 election cycle.

“I am extremely proud to announce some of our recent hires to the Florida Democratic Party. This is a passionate, diverse, talented, and experienced group of Democrats and we are grateful they have joined us to help turn Florida Blue in 2018,” said FDP Chair Terrie Rizzo.

“We know what Florida looks like after nearly 20 years of being under all Republican rule – an economy that does not work for all Floridians, a weakened public school system, rising health care costs while insurance companies get tax breaks, and leaders who are controlled by special interests. We have hired a staff who knows what is at stake in 2018 and this team is qualified and committed to electing Democrats up and down the ballot, to move Florida, forward!”

Topping the bulk announcement was the promotion of Roosevelt Holmes III, who will now serve as senior advisor to the Florida Democratic Party.

Holmes joined FDP as deputy political director in 2015, and was bumped up to political director last year. He also recently served as the party’s interim executive director.

Before joining FDP, Holmes worked on winning campaigns for several Democrats, including Barack Obama in 2008, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer in 2012. He also worked in Rep. Kathy Castor’s office, for the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Education and Workforce, and served in the Government Affairs and Public Policy Department of the UNCF.

New hires in the announcement:

— Clifton Addison will serve as a deputy political director. He joins FDP after serving as a Legislative Aide in the Florida Senate and as the African American Outreach Director of For Our Future PAC.

— Lauren Calmet will serve as a deputy political director. Lauren previously served as the Director of Community Affairs for the Florida Coalition for Children.

— Kevin Donohoe will serve as a senior spokesperson, with a focus on the race for Florida governor. He previously worked to elect Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam in 2017.

— Sebastian Kitchen will serve as a senior spokesperson, with a focus on the U.S. Senate race. He most recently directed communications for Alabama U.S. Sen. Doug Jones’ 2017 campaign.

— Asriele Stubbs will serve as the community engagement director for South Florida.

— Ella K. Coffee will serve as the community engagement director for West Central Florida.

— Alexandria Ayala will serve as the community engagement director for Palm Beach and Treasure Coast

— Lisa Peth will serve as the community engagement director for Northeast Florida.

— Adrian Young will serve as the community engagement director for Tallahassee and Gainesville.

— Keith Hardy will serve as the community engagement director for Northwest Florida.

— Brandon Philipczyk will serve as COO.

— Avery Russ will serve as a compliance assistant.

— Nicole Torres will serve as a compliance specialist.

— Alex Barbieri will serve as the data and analytics director.