Alan Clendenin

ALL HANDS ON DECK

Tomorrow voters in Massachusetts will go the polls to elect the Senator to replace Senator Ted Kennedy. We need everyone’s help in ensuring this seat remains a voice for working families. You can help right here in Hillsborough County!

Go to http://my.democrats.org/N2NCoakley to phone bank for Democrat Martha Coakley. It’s not to late and even just a few calls will make a difference.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, "Challenge of a New Age"

2010, it seems like it was just yesterday we were making plans for President Barack Obama’s inauguration. Can you believe it has been almost a year? Of course if you were listening to the Republican pundits you would never know our President’s policies stopped the free fall of the nation’s and worlds economy. His administration was and still is proactive and dynamic in dealing with the disaster the previous administration left. Don’t you long for the days the largest transition scandal was removing the ‘W’ key off White House keyboards? What do you think? Economic disaster, world in turmoil, sky rocketing unemployment or a few keyboards?

Congratulations to Representative Michael Scionti

Our very own West Tampa hometown Representative Michael Scionti has a new job title on December 13, 2009, ‘Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intergovernmental Affairs and Homeland Defense’ (How long will that desk nameplate be?). President Barack Obama (I still love typing President followed by Barack Obama ) appointed Michael recognizing his talents and expanding his list of key Hispanic representation in his White House. Isn’t it nice having a President that appreciates talent and diversity?

That’s the good news; the bad news is we will loose Michael in the Florida House. The voters in District 58 represent key constituency groups of our Democratic Party base. 49 precincts encompassing a large portion of West Tampa, Town n Country, Seminole Heights, Oak Grove, Egypt Lake, Wellswood and the Floriland Mall area. Regardless of who wins our primary, the District 58 elected Democratic Representative will represent a group of voters that historically had no voice in our government.

Times They Are a Changing

If you have any doubt about how important the African-American, Hispanic and youth voters are to the future of our candidates take a look at these statistics.

• Only 3 percent of African?American voters register as a Republican!
• Nearly three times the number of Florida Hispanic voters register as Democrat, 3 to 1!
• Democrats have a 16 percent advantage for voters under 35 years old.

Speaking of the Special Election

As many of you know our DEC Chair has announced her candidacy for the House District 58 seat. There has been some internal email traffic between HCDEC steering committee members and I have received numerous messages about the issue. As State Committeeman I have been in constant contact with the leadership of the Florida Democratic Party and the key members of our rules committee concerning the status of our Chair Position. After much discussion we have reached a consensus FDP will not take a position.

Pat has submitted a request for a leave of absence to the FDP. In accordance with the Hillsborough County by-laws Chris Brown has assumed the duties and responsibilities of Chair during her absence.

To say there is a diversity of opinions and confusion surrounding the status of our DEC elected officers would be an understatement. But there is no confusion concerning our mission. The Democrats of Hillsborough County will pull together and elect Alex Sink as our next Governor. Our Florida cannot afford another 4 years of Republican tyranny. Bill McCollum is a ‘George Bush Republican’, mean spirited and misguided.

Dates for Primary and General Election for House 58 Special Elections

Early voting for the Primary Election is from Today, January 18 through next Saturday, January 23, 2010. There are two locations for District 58 voters to cast early votes:

West Tampa Branch Library
2312 W. Union St.
Tampa, FL 33607
Open: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Fred B. Karl County Center
601 E. Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33602
Open: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Primary: January 26, 2010 General: February 23, 2010

Candidates Qualified for House 58 Special Election

Cruz, Janet R. (DEM)
Kemp, Patricia "Pat” (DEM)
Sanchez, Gilberto "Gil" (DEM)

Chamberlin, Hunter (REP)
Rojas-Quinones, Jackie (REP)

Vazquez, Jose (WRI)

2010 Election Dates for Hillsborough County

Stacy Frank, House District 57

One of the hottest Florida House races is right here in Tampa! House District 57 has been held by Republican Faye Culp who is term limited out of the seat. Stacy Frank announced her candidacy and everyone in the state has taken notice. Stacy blew everyone away with a successful fundraising quarter. Announcing well into the quarter and working against the holiday calendar odds were stacked against her. But Stacy has always stood up for our Party and our candidates and when she called for help she received overwhelming support.

I know I don’t need to tell everyone how important it is for us to take back this seat. We need seats to fight back against biased redistricting. We need seats to fight off shore oil drilling. We need seats to fight for working families. We seats to fight for education. And we need Stacy Frank to fight for all Floridians in Tallahassee.

The current Republican front-runner their Republican Party is promoting is just another mouth piece puppet for the Republican leadership. A guaranteed vote for oil companies to destroy our beautiful beaches, a voice for special interests and an anti labor advocate.

If you want a Democrat that respects diversity, will stand up for education and will fight against the Republican leadership Stacy Frank is your candidate. Email me if you want to be a part of this important campaign, alan@alanclendenin.com.

Linda Saul-Sena will challenge Ken Hagan for county seat in 2010

A champion of Tampa and the arts and a great Democrat, Linda Saul-Sena will officially announce her candidacy for the Hillsborough County Commission District 5 (At Large). Linda will be a welcome change to our Hillsborough County Commission or as I refer to them, a yes board for special interests. This is a seat we can win and with your help, Linda is the Democrat that will win it!

FDP Budget and Finance Committee and the FDP Rules Committee meetings

I will be at the Florida Democratic Party (FDP) headquarters in Tallahassee February 2 to attend the FDP Budget and Finance Committee meeting scheduled 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm and the FDP Rules Committee meeting scheduled 11:00 am – 12:30 pm.

On December 21, 2009 Karen Thurman appointed me to the Florida Democratic Party Campaign Committee. I am very excited to be a part of this important group of party activists and bring a voice from Hillsborough County to the table. I know the keystone of statewide Democratic victory is located right here in the Bay area. For the first time in over 134 years all state cabinet seats are open seats and I am looking forward to helping elect Democrats from the top of the ticket to the bottom.

Florida Democratic Party Annual Legislative Appreciation Reception

One of the premier events for the Florida Democratic Party is the Annual Legislative Appreciation Reception in Tallahassee. It is an opportunity for our party to thank our Democratic legislators for fighting the good fight defending our party’s values and platform. The reception will be held February 2 at 6:00 pm at the Mary Brogan Museum.

Democratic Change Commission's Recommendations

The final meeting of the Democratic Change Commission was held via teleconference last week. The Commission voted to approve its recommendations to the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee by unanimous agreement.

The Committee recommended; establishing a ‘best practices’ program for caucus states, pushing the window of time during which primaries and caucuses may be held (after February 1), as well as changing the unpledged delegates to National Pledged Party Leader and Elected Official (NPLEO) pledged delegates.

This has been a yearlong process that will now go to the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee and then to the full membership of the DNC.

Kennedy Graham Dinner "A Blue Star Gala"

The Hillsborough Democratic Party’s annual fundraiser is will be held on February 13, 2010. This is a premier event for our Party and our candidates. Join our next Governor of the State of Florida Alex Sink and former Representative Sam Gibbons as they kick off Hillsborough County’s 2010 election season.

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Cocktails (Matilda Martini time)
7:00 pm Dinner

Doubletree Hotel Tampa
4500 West Cypress Street
Tampa, Florida

Tickets are $75.00 per person or a table of 10 is $700.00

Below is a list of other dates you need to know:

February 13, 2010
Hillsborough Kennedy Graham Dinner
Doubletree Airport Hotel – Tampa, Florida
Time: 6:00 PM Cocktails – Dinner at 7:00 PM
Call: Hillsborough DEC Chair - Pat Kemp at (813) 237-1235

February 26–28, 2010
Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus Winter Conference
Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront
333 First St. S., Saint Petersburg, FL 33701-4342
For additional information (727) 894-5000

February 27, 2010
Pinellas Democratic Party
Kennedy / King Annual Dinner
Hilton in Carillon Park - St. Petersburg, Florida
Call: Pinellas DEC Chair - Ramsay McLauchlin

March 12 & 13, 2010 (Friday and Saturday)
Region I Training Meeting
Reception, Quality Inn - Niceville Florida

Saturday, March 13, Training
Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) - Niceville Florida

March 13: Kennedy - King Dinner,
Sponsored by Okaloosa DEC, NWFSC, “K” Gallery
Call: Judy Byrne Riley

July 16 & 17, 2010 (Friday and Saturday)
Annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner Weekend
Westin Diplomat Hotel - Hollywood, Florida