The Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida has decided to officially stay out of the primary race between Democrats Nikki Fried and Charlie Crist.
Carolina Ampudia, M.D., President of the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida, and Mike Bonacolta, Chair of the DPCF Campaign Committee, released this joint statement at the DPCF Annual Meeting:
The Democratic Progressive Caucus will not endorse in the 2022 Florida Democratic Gubernatorial primary.
The DPCF is a policy-driven caucus committed to supporting and promoting progressive candidates throughout the state. DPCF has an extensive platform covering a wide range of policies. While we found many areas of agreement with both Democratic candidates, there were important parts of our platform on which we were not in agreement. We believe either candidate is a far better choice than the increasingly authoritarian, Ron DeSantis. Understanding the dangerous moment in which we find ourselves, DPCF will actively support whichever candidate wins the primary.
The DPCF wishes to thank both candidates for Governor for participating in our endorsement process and for speaking directly with our campaign committee. The committee felt it was an open and honest discussion conducted in good faith by both candidates. We welcome the opportunity to keep this dialogue going during the election and, we hope, beyond with a Democratic Governor of Florida.
The caucus looks forward to working with the Democratic Party’s eventual nominee on issues of importance to the caucus and progressive voters across the State of Florida, a state with one of the worst housing emergencies in the nation, growing poverty, wage inequality, and inadequate and sometimes complete lack of access to justice, quality education, healthcare, and other critical services.
Working together and including progressives in the decision-making processes, we can build a coalition to win in November, in order to save our democracy, protect the rights of millions of Floridians, and develop plans and implement policies which lift up all Floridians, beginning with those on the lowest rungs of the economic ladder.
We strongly encourage both candidates to select a progressive Democrat to be our next Lieutenant Governor. The enthusiasm and solidarity that choice would inspire would make the Democratic ticket unbeatable in November.
Together, we can win November.
In solidarity,
Carolina Ampudia, M.D., President
Mike Bonacolta, Chair, Campaigns Committee
Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida
