ABOVE: Caucus President Stephen Gaskill speaks at the organization’s winter conference in Feb. Photo via Facebook.
Delray Beach, Fla. | The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus released its first round of 2022 endorsements July 15, candidates throughout the state the organization says are committed to equality.
The caucus represents the interests of LGBTQ Floridians to the Florida Democratic Party, with 25 chapters from Pensacola to Miami. Endorsed candidates thus far include seven congressional incumbents and 11 challenger candidates without primaries.
The incumbents are U.S. Reps. Al Lawson of District 2, Darren Soto of District 9, Kathy Castor of District 14, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of District 20, Lois Frankel of District 22, Frederica Wilson of District 24 and Debbie Wasserman Schultz of District 25.
Endorsed challengers include U.S. House hopefuls Kimberly Walker in District 12, Eric Lynn in District 13, Jan Schneider in District 16, Dr. Cindy Banyai in District 19 and Christine Alexandria Olivo in District 26. Statewide endorsees include Adam Hattersley who is running for Chief Financial Officer and five candidates seeking spots in the Florida Legislature.
That includes Eunic Ortiz, who could make LGBTQ history this November by becoming the first openly lesbian state senator in Florida. Rounding out the endorsed candidates are State House hopefuls John Navarra in District 28, Lindsay Cross in District 60, Janet Varnell Warwick in District 61 and Forest Blanton in District 84.
“At a time when the LGBTQ+ community is facing a relentless onslaught of hateful attacks from Republicans, it is critical that we elect leaders who will fight for LGBTQ+ equality at all levels of government,” Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President Stephen Gaskill said in a statement. “We urge voters to elect these candidates because without you, we lose. LGBTQ+ lives and families are hanging in the balance.”
“We are proud to endorse these candidates, incumbents and challengers both, who have demonstrated a commitment to full equality for LGBTQ+ Floridians,” Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus Campaign Director Dave Cutler added. “We look forward to assisting them in their campaigns in whatever way we can and encourage voters to elect them.”
The caucus will hold its summer conference in Fort Lauderdale July 22-24, welcoming congressional candidates U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist and Commissioner Nikki Fried among other elected officials and hopefuls. It is designed to highlight the stakes of the 2022 election.
U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy of Orlando will also receive the Congressional Leadership Award for her work on the Jan. 6 committee and Tampa Bay’s trailblazing LGBTQ State Rep. Michele Rayner will receive the Legislative Leadership Award.
For more information about the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus and its endorsed candidates, visit LGBTQDems.org.
