Danny McAuliffe
Sean Shaw wants to change the way lawmakers talk about policy.
To do that, he’s launching People Over Profits, a progressive advocacy organization led by Shaw and supported by the same people and interests that backed his Democratic bid for Attorney General last year.
“I think we pay a lot more attention to corporate, wealthy interests than we do to people and those who work the hardest,” Shaw, a former Tampa state Rep., told us. “That’s the conversation I want to change.”
People Over Profits will focus on workers’ rights, civil rights and quality of life. Shaw said he expects to under that umbrella tackle a wide range of issues like the environment, civil rights and health care.
The need for a paradigm shift in policy conversations, Shaw said, became apparent after traveling across the state while campaigning for Attorney General.
“We talk about these issues from the wrong perspective in my opinion, from the perspective of wealthy and corporate interest as opposed to everyday working people and those in our society,” he said.
Shaw lost to Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody but now plans to “fight” for progressive values as an advocate, rather than an elected official.
“There are a lot of people out there who supported Democrats and our vision up and down the ticket in our election, and those people need the fight to continue,” Shaw said. “Just because you lose an election doesn’t mean the fight’s over.”
Shaw was the first African-American nominee in Florida’s history for the Cabinet post. He recently joined Tampa’s Vanguard Attorneys, where he’ll continue to work while operating People Over Profits.
Expect Shaw, equipped with a term in the Florida House (2016-18), to offer fiery quotes and insight on legislation as it moves through Tallahassee. He said People Over Profits will soon host news conferences and have an online presence.
As far as issues already bubbling ahead of the 2019 Legislative Session, Shaw said he expects “guns” to again be a sticking point.
But while some issues — like gun control — create a sharp partisan divide, Shaw thinks his nonprofit could find common ground across the aisle.
One example: Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis‘ proposal to not sweep the state’s affordable housing trusts. Shaw wrote legislation last year that would’ve prevented future Legislatures from sweeping the pool of money, known as the Sadowski Trust.
“I have a sneaking suspicion the Legislature is going to not allow all that good stuff to happen,” he said of DeSantis’ plan. “So we’ll be watching.”
People Over Profits will not have a committee linked to it, meaning Shaw and supporters won’t be spending money on political candidates.
Shaw said he has no “immediate” plans to run for office, but will remain involved in issues through the organization.
