Ruth’s List Florida endorses six Senate Democrats including Lauren Book
Lauren Book.

book 2
'These Democratic pro-choice women leaders embody the spirit of Ruth’s List.'

Ruth’s List Florida, an organization that endorses women candidates who support abortion rights, is backing six incumbent senators in their respective reelection bids.

That group includes Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book, who is looking for another term representing Senate District 32. Ruth’s List is also backing Sens. Loranne Ausley, Lori Berman, Janet Cruz, Tina Polsky, and Linda Stewart.

“These Democratic pro-choice women leaders embody the spirit of Ruth’s List,” said Lucy Sedgwick, president and CEO of Ruth’s List Florida, in a Wednesday statement announcing the endorsements. “They have repeatedly proven their commitment to protecting our rights and moving Florida forward. Now we’re showing up to protect their seats.”

Some of those senators, such as Berman and Book, aren’t likely to face competitive General Election contests in their districts as currently drawn. But the state’s redistricting process could affect district boundaries and make some of these seats more GOP-friendly.

In particular, Sedgwick says Ruth’s List will focus on Cruz’s reelection in Senate District 18. Cruz narrowly flipped that seat in 2018, winning by 411 votes out of nearly 208,000 cast, a margin of just 0.2 percentage points.

“We know Republicans are coming after this seat, and we will do everything in our power to keep it,” Sedgwick said. “Sen. Cruz is a fighter for her district and a proven leader who we need in Tallahassee.”

Ausley currently represents Senate District 3, while Stewart holds Senate District 13. Polsky won the Senate District 29 seat in 2020, while Berman won the Senate District 31 seat in 2018 after eight years in the House.

Ausley, Berman and Cruz have yet to court an opponent in their respective races, though that can change with 10 months remaining until the Primary Election and more than a year until the General.

According to Ruth’s List, the organization has raised more than $5 million to support Democratic women candidates since 2008 and helped elect just under 200 woman to state and local office.

Ryan Nicol

Ryan Nicol covers news out of South Florida for Florida Politics. Ryan is a native Floridian who attended undergrad at Nova Southeastern University before moving on to law school at Florida State. After graduating with a law degree he moved into the news industry, working in TV News as a writer and producer, along with some freelance writing work. If you'd like to contact him, send an email to [email protected].


2 comments

Comments are closed.


#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, William March, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Jesse Scheckner, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704