The Florida Democratic Party announced the creation the LEAD (Leadership Expansion to Advance Democrats) Task Force, which will “work to retool and strengthen the Party’s brand, bolster candidate recruitment efforts, and improve field and outreach performance heading into the pivotal 2016 presidential election.”
The Task Force has no representative from Northwest Florida west of Panama City and is headed by a 72-year-old, Sen. Bill Nelson.
Republican strategist Rick Wilson quipped, “Half the people on this task force are exactly why the Florida Democratic Party sucks.”
The Task Force:
Co-Chairs:
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson
Former Orlando Police Chief Val Demings
Members:
Alan Clendenin — First Vice Chair, Hillsborough State Committeeman
Amanda Murphy — State Representative, Pasco County
Ana Cruz — Tampa Bay and Hispanic community leader
Ashley Walker — Former Florida OFA State Director, 2012
Dwight Bullard — State Senator & Miami-Dade DEC Chair
Jeff Wright — FEA Policy Director
Joe Falk — LGBT community leader
Jose Javier Rodriguez — State Representative, Miami
Joy Friedman — AFSCME
Monica Russo — SEIU State Council President
Nick Maddox — Commissioner, Leon County
Patricia Byrd — FDP Congressional District 2 Representative
Rod Smith — Former State Senator and former FDP Chair
Terrie Rizzo — Palm Beach DEC Chair
The Task Force will use its favorite technique for meeting – conference calls – to come up with a series of recommendations at the 2015 Leadership Blue weekend.