Bill Rufty
EMILY’s List, the progressive organization that supports women candidates for office, has recommended Kristen Carlson, Lakeland attorney and 11th-hour entrant into the Democratic primary, for Florida’s 15th Congressional District.
The endorsement put two organizations that support Democratic candidates at odds with one another. At least one Democratic candidate, Greg Pilkington of Indian Lake Estates, withdrew from the race saying the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee was sending aid to Andrew Learned of Valrico who had already had the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, a Tampa Democrat.
“Kristen Carlson is a committed advocate for justice who is running for Congress to expand economic fairness and opportunity for Floridians. She helped save and protect the Florida orange industry from out-of-state companies’ wrongful practices and has since continued to serve her community as an attorney in private practice … The EMILY’s List community fully intends to support Kristen in her fight to win this seat and deliver the majority to Democrats,” Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY’s List, said in a news release Thursday.
“They had urged me to run,” Carlson said, “So I am grateful for their support. This endorsement is very important to me and to the campaign.”
The Democratic Party won’t be split whoever wins the primary, Carlson said.
“I certainly plan to support Andrew or Ray (Raymond Pena of Lakeland, who has not campaigned very visibly) if either should win,” she said.
“We all have the same policy goals and we will all be together at the end of the primary and will make this a Democratic district,” Carlson said.
“Democrats already are together,” Learned said, adding it is with his campaign. “There is only one that isn’t with us (EMILY’s List). You have an endorsement from a national group that doesn’t recognize what is going on locally among progressives or understands local issues and policies,” he said. “Look at her stand on medical marijuana and the Trump tax plan.”
Learned said he had not seen any grassroots rallies or major gatherings held by Carlson since she began her campaign noting that he has been campaigning and visiting progressive groups and the general public for over a year.
Carlson campaign manager Conor Hurley said his candidate has been on the road nonstop.
“She is focused on the grassroots campaign. Most recently she was at the was at the Clermont candidate forum and she also attended the Bealsville Anniversary Dinner (in Hillsborough County) and I didn’t see him there. Just because he doesn’t see her campaign activities doesn’t mean we aren’t out there working heavily,” Hurley said.
Carlson argued that there is little difference in Democratic policies between the two, adding it is “posturing.”
“It is only that he is positioning himself as farther to the left of me,” she said.
CORRECTION: An earlier version incorrectly listed candidate Raymond Pena as residing in Osceola County. Pena is a resident of Lakeland.
4 comments
Donna Windsor
June 8, 2018 at 11:36 am
I believe some of the statements made by either the author or the candidate Ms. Carlson are inaccurate. Ray Pena as well as Andrew Learned has been at many meetings of local Democrats over the last year. I met both candidates at meetings of local Democrats. I have personally seen Mr. Pena at first Friday events and protests at Dennis Ross’s office, the Women’s March in Lakeland, and the NAACP banquet just to name a few. I know from my own involvement with the Democratic Women’s Club of Lakeland that both men have been involved very activity over the last year. I feel confident that I have had the time to ask questions and get to know both men well enough to choose one but support both.
Ms. Carlson and Emily’s list however have not been present. Her overall attitude is one of stop the race so she can get in now that Dennis Ross is retiring. Emily’s List has finally decided to take an interest in our community but we have been following a very competitive race since last year knowing Congressman Ross’s days are numbered. My one experience with her directly was when she wanted our club to change our meeting agenda (that was planned months in advance) to accommodate the fact that she was double booked and wanted to address the group. She didn’t seem to take our local group very seriously despite the fact that we have grown to over 250 members in just over a year. She had previously spoken with me a few days before and knew she would only have a few minutes at the beginning of our meeting which is already allocated to allow candidates to address the group. While she was making the same request to a different volunteer after I had already explained this to her she missed a chance to mingle with potential voters. She wasn’t prepared to tell us anything more than the same story of her one achievement back in the 80s working with the Citrus industry. This race didn’t just start simply because she did. There are many issues she has not addressed in any format so I am not sure how one could draw the conclusion that she is progressive.
As a woman over 40 who juggles a 40 hour work week, the responsibilities of motherhood of my two sons (ages 8 and 9), and currently working towards a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from New England College in addition to about 10-15 volunteer hours each week for the DWCL I am not automatically impressed because we have matching reproductive capabilities. I am unimpressed when you show up three months before the primary unprepared to do anything but campaign night and day. If Emily’s list plans to win this race we need their candidate to catch up. What are her positions on the economy and strengthening the middle class? Gun safety? Mental health? How would she strengthen the affordable care act so it works for more people not less? Checks and balances for a President who desperately needs them? Environmental protection? Equal treatment for all? Immigration reforms and protection? I want to know what you’re going to fight for not just that you’re prepared to compromise.
Donna Windsor
June 9, 2018 at 4:27 am
Please disregard the first comment I made a typo. My kids are 9 and 10 not 8 and 9. They grow up so fast!
Sheila
June 8, 2018 at 3:32 pm
Raymond Pena is not from Osceola County. He lives and works in Polk County and owns a business here. He resides in the City of Lakeland his business is in Winter Haven. Perhaps this misinformation was given to the reporter on purpose
Donna Windsor
June 9, 2018 at 4:24 am
I believe some of the statements made by either the author or the candidate Ms. Carlson are inaccurate. Ray Pena as well as Andrew Learned has been at many meetings of local Democrats over the last year. I met both candidates at meetings of local Democrats. I have personally seen Mr. Pena at first Friday events and protests at Dennis Ross’s office, the Women’s March in Lakeland, and the NAACP banquet just to name a few. I know from my own involvement with the Democratic Women’s Club of Lakeland that both men have been involved very activity over the last year. I feel confident that I have had the time to ask questions and get to know both men well enough to choose one but support both.
Ms. Carlson and Emily’s list however have not been present. Her overall attitude is one of stop the race so she can get in now that Dennis Ross is retiring. Emily’s List has finally decided to take an interest in our community but we have been following a very competitive race since last year knowing Congressman Ross’s days are numbered. My one experience with her directly was when she wanted our club to change our meeting agenda (that was planned months in advance) to accommodate the fact that she was double booked and wanted to address the group. She didn’t seem to take our local group very seriously despite the fact that we have grown to over 250 members in just over a year. She had previously spoken with me a few days before and knew she would only have a few minutes at the beginning of our meeting which is already allocated to allow candidates to address the group. While she was making the same request to a different volunteer after I had already explained this to her she missed a chance to mingle with potential voters. She wasn’t prepared to tell us anything more than the same story of her one achievement back in the 80s working with the Citrus industry. This race didn’t just start simply because she did. There are many issues she has not addressed in any format so I am not sure how one could draw the conclusion that she is progressive.
As a woman over 40 who juggles a 40 hour work week, the responsibilities of motherhood of my two sons (ages 9 and 10), and currently working towards a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from New England College in addition to about 10-15 volunteer hours each week for the DWCL I am not automatically impressed because we have matching reproductive capabilities. I am unimpressed when you show up three months before the primary unprepared to do anything but campaign night and day. If Emily’s list plans to win this race we need their candidate to catch up. What are her positions on the economy and strengthening the middle class? Gun safety? Mental health? How would she strengthen the affordable care act so it works for more people not less? Checks and balances for a President who desperately needs them? Environmental protection? Equal treatment for all? Immigration reforms and protection? I want to know what you’re going to fight for not just that you’re prepared to compromise.
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