Scott Powers
The Florida College Democrats have endorsed Sanjay Patel for his run for Congress and Margaret Good, Anna Eskamani, and Mark Lipton in Florida House races, the organization announced.
Patel, running in Florida’s 8th Congressional District along the Space Coast against longtime incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, was the only congressional candidate picked for the College Dems’ endorsements.
“Patel is a dedicated grassroots activist and has helped Brevard Dems rise to the ranks as one of the biggest grassroots organizations in the state. Brevard Dems knocked the most doors in any county of Florida and fundraising doubled under the Sanjay and Stacey Patel leadership of Brevard Dems,” the College Dems stated in a news release. “Patel is a fighter for progressive values and really shows his message of ‘People over Politics.’ Patel was endorsed recently by Our Revolution.”
Eskamani, of Orlando, is seeking a seat opening in Florida House District 47 covering central Orange County. An activist and consultant to a non-profit, Eskamani has Democratic primary competition from Apopka real estate agent Lou Forges, with Stockton Reeves VI and Mikaela Nix competing in the Republican primary.
“We are proud to endorse Anna for her tireless efforts for healthcare, women’s rights and LGBTQ rights. Anna recently received an endorsement from former candidate for president, [Maryland] Gov. Martin O’Malley and was featured on the TIME magazine cover ‘The Avengers.’ Eskamani is young, motivated and ready to bring much needed progressive change to Florida,” the College Dems noted.
Good, of Sarasota, was elected last year in a special election in Florida House District 72. She has no primary opponent but faces the winner of the Jason Miller–Ray Pilon Republican primary.
“Good is an advocate for important issues, such as environmental rights and women’s rights. Good cares deeply about education in this great state of Florida. Good plans to uphold these values and to ‘shake up’ Tallahassee,” the College Democrats stated.
Lipton, of North Fort Myers, is running for the House District 79 seat opening in Lee County. He has no primary opponent and will face the winner of the Matthew Miller–Spencer Roach Republican primary.
“Lipton … is a supporter of public education, even referring to it as a “backbone” of this country. Lipton believes affordable health care is a right, which is an important issue to Florida College Democrats. Lipton upholds Democratic values and plans to unfold his vision for a better Florida,” the College Dems stated.
The College Dems’ release concluded with a statement declaring that all of the candidates uphold the vision of Florida College Democrats with our mission statement ‘As the official Democratic Student Caucus of Florida and a College Democrats of America State Federation, we unite College Democrats on campuses and communities across the state of Florida to advocate on the behalf of the Democratic Party.’ We believe these candidates will help flip our great state of Florida blue during one of the most important crucial election cycles.”
