Even still, the local party is eclipsed by Sarasota County Republicans in terms of registered voters
By Della Hale
Original Air Date: September 6, 2024
Host: As of mid-August, there were 155,767 registered Republicans to 85,304 Democrats in Sarasota County. But local Democrats say that’s only part of the story, and are feeling optimistic about their candidates’ chances now that the top of the ticket has changed. Della Hale witnessed the enthusiasm at a Sarasota campaign stop for the woman who wants to be Florida’s next senator, and filed this report.
Della Hale: Emboldened by the energy surrounding Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign, nearly 200 members of the Democratic Women’s Club of Sarasota and other supporters expressed enthusiasm for their candidates’ chances up and down the ballot on Wednesday.
They gathered in a ballroom at Marina Jack to hear from Senate candidate Debbie Murcasel-Powell who was stumping in Sarasota as part of a statewide tour. Speakers included Liz Barker, who was recently elected to Sarasota County School Board, and Daniel Kuether the chairman of the Sarasota County Democratic Party.
More meet-and-greet than rally, the event was focused on promoting ways to get-out-the-vote and show support for Democratic candidates.
Speaker: When we fight, we win!
[applause]
DH: Kuether took the time to talk about the election season so far, including the August 20th nonpartisan school board election that resulted in Tom Edwards successfully defending his seat from conservative challengers and Barker unseating conservative Karen Rose. He commended volunteers on their efforts writing postcards, knocking on doors, and text banking.
Barker then took the time to introduce VIPs in the audience, including Jamie Emhoff, sister of Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff. Also in attendance were Sarasota City Commissioners Debbie Trice and Liz Alpert and Sarasota County Tax Collector Barbara Ford-Coates. Ford-Coates faces a challenge from outgoing County Commissioner Mike Moran, a Republican. Alpert, who is also mayor, is being challenged by neighborhood advocate Ron Kashden in the
nonpartisan Sarasota City Commission race. Murcarsel-Powell, a former congresswoman who is trying to unseat incumbent Senator and Republican Rick Scott, cited the Harris campaign’s reproductive rights bus tour that launched in Palm Beach County and the message that it sends that momentum is growing for Democrats in the Sunshine State. The Democratic candidate for Senate encouraged attendees to vote yes on amendment 4 to limit government interference in abortion this November.
As the event wrapped up, attendees were reminded of the importance of continued grassroots efforts, from voter education to turnout initiatives. Speakers emphasized the need for unity across all levels of the ballot, encouraging everyone to stay engaged and active leading up to Election Day.
This has been Della Hale reporting for WSLR News
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