Dave Dlouhy and Susan McGrath have announced their intentions to lead the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus on a ticket, with Dlouhy running for President and McGrath running for Vice President.
“We are focused on contributing to the strength of the Florida Democratic Party by growing our membership, fundraising to have money available to contribute to candidates and organizing the Regions & Chapters to engage with our endorsed candidates through voter outreach,” said Dave Dlouhy. “Current caucus management missed an opportunity to capitalize on President Obama’s win in Florida to build the Caucus.”
Dlouhy opened the Obama for America office in Wilton Manors in February 2012. He campaigned and raised funds in five counties for candidates including the successful Congressional races of Lois Frankel and Patrick Murphy. McGrath was instrumental in the success of the Pinellas County Stonewall Democrats in dialing over 10,000 phone calls to voters in 2012 and raising $15,000 for candidate support.
Dlouhy serves as the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus Region 6 Male Director, Board Member Dolphin Democrats of Broward County, and Broward County Democratic Executive Committee member. Dlouhy is a 34-year veteran of the US Foreign Service, serving as Deputy and Acting US Ambassador to El Salvador, Luxembourg and Bolivia. Under President Clinton he was appointed United States Representative to implement the Dayton Peace treaty for Bosnia. He resides in Wilton Manors.
McGrath serves as the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus Region 2 Female Director. Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County President. Pinellas County Democratic Party Vice Chair.
Membership of the caucus, which peaked at 175 in the 2008 Presidential year, has declined to 92 in 2013. While post-election drop-offs are not unusual, Caucus management’s failure to support all four LGBT candidates for State Representative is reflected in a 28% loss of membership from 2012. The membership decline over the past two years has exacerbated fundraising issues and weakened the Caucus’ support to the FDP.
The Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus statewide elections will be held Saturday, February 23rd, at the Crown Plaza, 304 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, and FL 32801.
