Drew Wilson
Incumbent Democrat Daphne Campbell has received another stack of local endorsements in her campaign for a second term in Miami-Dade based Senate District 38.
Announcing their support for Campbell are Golden Beach Mayor Glenn Singer, Biscayne Park Mayor Tracy Truppman, El Portal Mayor Claudia Cubillos, Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam, North Bay Village Vice Mayor Adreana Jackson, Miami Gardens Vice Mayor Erhabor Ighodaro and Miramar Vice Mayor Yvette Colbourne.
“Senator Campbell has been a longtime friend and advocate of the town of Golden Beach. She works diligently to help the residents of our communities, and all the communities she represents, to receive the necessary means by which to flourish and prosper. We are fortunate to have her represent our Town,” Singer said in a news release.
The local endorsements add to the suite of supporters lining up behind Campbell as she looks to stave off challenger Jason Pizzo, a former prosecutor who took second place in a crowded SD 38 Democratic primary two years ago. Past endorsements for Campbell include a dozen of her colleagues in the Legislature, among them incoming Senate Minority Leader Audrey Gibson and incoming House Minority Leader Kionne McGhee.
“Local mayors are the backbone of strong communities across the state of Florida. I am happy to have the support of such a strong group of mayors, that recognize the strong leadership and experience that I offer representing their communities in Tallahassee,” Campbell said.
“I look forward to continuing to be a vocal advocate for the cities I represent, while also focusing on issues that are important to the residents of district 38 like better-paying jobs, increased public school funding, and affordable health care for all.”
Campbell was elected to SD 38 in 2016. She received 31 percent of the vote in the six-way primary compared to 24 percent for Pizzo, a difference of 2,129 votes. She later won the general election in the Democratic stronghold after taking 75 percent of the vote against unaffiliated candidate Phillip Brutus.
As of Thursday, Campbell and Pizzo are the only candidates who have filed for the 2018 race. The qualifying period for candidates to make the ballot begins Monday and ends at noon on June 22.
Pizzo currently leads the money race with $193,000 raised and more than $100,000 on hand, including $100,000 in loans. Campbell has raised a little over $92,000 and started June with $29,800 on hand. Her total has not been bolstered by any candidate loans.
The primary election is Aug. 28.
