Ruth’s List Florida dubs run-of-the-mill results “historic victories”

RuthsList

Most Florida Democrats woke up consumed by what went wrong on Election Day. Another nil for five performance in statewide races, and a one for six performance in the state Senate, assuming current margins hold.

But Ruth’s List Florida was more than a little cheery with an email celebrating its “historic victories” on Tuesday.

Their reasoning, in their own words: “Of the 42 women endorsed this election cycle by Ruth’s List Florida, the only organization in the state that recruits, trains and supports progressive women in their runs for office, 28 won their races. Of the 28 victories, 19 were red-to-blue flipped seats.”

So, 28 out of 42, or two out of three, or, if preferred, a D minus.

There is that ubiquitous song about how “two out of three ain’t bad.” Historic, though? Meh.

Don’t tell Pamela Goodman that, though.

“Ruth’s List is thrilled with these results,” she said. “Floridians are clearly ready to fight for a clean environment, a fully funded public education system and the health care we all deserve. And our wins in the down ballot races show that we are building a strong bench for the future of Florida.”

The two state Senate winners: House Minority Leader Janet Cruz in SD 18 (maybe) and current Sen. Annette Taddeo in SD 40 (a push).

The state House winners: Incumbent Democratic Reps. Amy Mercado (73-17, yawn) and Margaret Good (getting warmer) and Delores Johnson (okay) and Dotie Joseph (92-8, yawn), who took over Democratic held seats.

The flippers: Geraldine Thompson, Joy Goff Marcil, Anna Eskamani, Fentrice Driskell, Jennifer Webb and Cindy Polo. Those six wins are indeed something to celebrate. Ruth’s List deserves a pat on the back for those.

“Ruth’s List has invested years recruiting and training Democratic pro-choice women to seek and serve in local office,” Goodman said. “Tonight, we helped to elect a record number of women up and down the ballot all across the state. We are building the bench of the next generation of leaders in Florida.”

But what about the L-O-S-E-R-S?

The org went two for five in the state Senate and 10 for 17 in the state House, and its doing some Russell Westbrook-level stats padding by counting wins on the Mt. Dora City Commission — no offence, Commissioner Elect Crissy Stile, you earned it.

And then there’s Democratic Ag Commissioner nominee Niki Fried, the first woman candidate the Democratic party has fielded in a statewide race since former CFO Alex Sink, a co-founder of Ruth’s List. They were all about celebrating her easy primary election win, and If the org had carried the first Democratic member of the Cabinet in 8 years across the finish line, that would be a “historic victory.”

There’s still a chance that could happen. Fried is headed toward a recount in the Cabinet contest between her and Republican Rep. Matt Caldwell, and as of Wednesday night only 8,139 votes (0.10 percent) separate them out of more than 8 million cast.

If she pulls it off, that would be the time to blast out the internal brag board.

Drew Wilson

Drew Wilson covers legislative campaigns and fundraising for Florida Politics. He is a former editor at The Independent Florida Alligator and business correspondent at The Hollywood Reporter. Wilson, a University of Florida alumnus, covered the state economy and Legislature for LobbyTools and The Florida Current prior to joining Florida Politics.


2 comments

  • Michael

    November 8, 2018 at 12:10 pm

    28 out of 42 isn’t a D when there’s a roughly 50/50 chance at winning a race

  • Jason

    November 9, 2018 at 9:55 am

    This is easily the worst “column” I’ve read on Florida Politics and tells me everything I need to know about the political lean of this outlet. “Pat on the back” is incredibly misogynistic and gives us a true insight into the mindset of the author (I won’t bother calling you a journalist).

    Oh and take a math class, the A-F grading system isn’t based on mathematic theory for data distribution of success but instead concept mastery. Worst analogy ever.

Comments are closed.


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