Our Revolution–a group with ties to democratic socialist U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.– is placing a few bets in Florida as it looks ahead to 2020.
With Sanders considering another presidential bid in 2020, two of the Our Revolution affiliates are backing state Rep. David Richardson in next month’s primary as Democrats look to flip the seat currently held by retiring U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla. Richardson has emerged as the chief rival in the Democratic primary to former U.S. HHS Sec. Donna Shalala who served as president of the University of Miami.
“Two of the local Our Revolution groups just endorsed my campaign for Congress – Our Revolution 305 in Miami and Our Revolution Puerto Rico!” Richardson announced in an email sent out by his campaign on Thursday. “Our Revolution was founded to continue the grassroots movement of Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign and fight to advance our progressive agenda, and I am so proud to have the support of these two bottom-up groups.”
That’s now the only key race in Florida that Our Revolution is taking sides in. Back in March, Our Revolution threw its support behind Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.
“Andrew Gillum is a driven public servant who has already shown his commitment to the working people of Florida,” said Our Revolution President Nina Turner when the group endorsed Gillum. “He has fought tirelessly for reforms like expanding social service funding, developing an advanced job retraining program for underrepresented workers, and investing in community policing and re-entry programs. Our Revolution is proud to support his campaign because we believe in his ability to bring bold progressive policies to all Floridians.”
Our Revolution is also backing other Democrats across the Sunshine State including businessman and Democrat activist Sanjay Patel who is offering an underdog challenge to U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Fla. The group is backing Alex Heeren, the Democratic candidate looking to flip the state House seat currently held by term limited Republican state Rep. Larry Ahern who represents parts of Pinellas County.
