Florida Mainstream Democrats Select New Leadership

Tallahassee, FL- The Florida Mainstream Democrats have selected their new leadership team for the 2009-2010 election cycle, choosing Representative Rick Kriseman (D-St. Petersburg) to serve as Chair and Representative Ronald Brise (D-Miami) to serve as Vice Chair. Both members are serving in their second term in the Florida House of Representatives.

“The 2010 election cycle will be one of the most dynamic in our recent history and Rick Kriseman is the kind of leader who will ensure the mainstream Democratic candidates are successful at the ballot box,” said outgoing Chairwoman, Loranne Ausley who plans to remain active as Chair Emeritus. “Our organization supported Rick in his first race for the State House and he has been an integral member since his first election.”

Over the last four years, the Florida Mainstream Democrats have grown into one of the state’s more influential organizations, which now counts nearly half of all Democrats elected to the legislature among its members. Just recently, the organization held the first annual State Conversation, bringing more than 200 Democrats from around the state together in Sarasota for a weekend of leadership training and political planning meetings. It was the largest gathering in the organization’s history.

“Loranne leaves big shoes to fill,” said Chairman Rick Kriseman, who in 2003 was named one of the Democratic Leadership Council’s national rising stars. “She has both grown the Mainstream Democrats and extended our mission beyond winning elections to where we can now serve as a network for Democrats and community leaders and as an incubator for local officials considering campaigns for higher office.”

With the possibility of as many as five open statewide offices, as well as several competitive Congressional seats and scores of open Legislative races, the Mainstream Democrats plan to be very active in recruiting good candidates to run for higher office and serving as a resource for those looking for more ways to get involved.

“What we have seen in the last few election cycles in Florida is a heightened level of enthusiasm among Democrats from around the state,” said Vice Chairman Ronald Brise, one of the first Haitian-Americans to serve in the Florida House. “But we know our work is just beginning and that we can not rest until the hopes and values of everyday Floridians are represented by the people who pull the levers of power in Tallahassee and Washington.”