Broward Politics

31/01/2025

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz on Trump and congressional Republicans:
“They focus on taking care of the wealthiest, most fortunate Americans while denying funds to new mothers with 8-week-old babies, who are going to have trouble maintaining their newborn’s nutrition, all in the name of tax cuts for billionaires.”

South Florida beneficiaries of federal grant and loan programs were jolted when President Donald Trump ordered a freeze, now paused, in federal grant and loan programs.

31/01/2025

Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick on President Donald Trump's air crash/DEI claims:
“Drawing inferences from this heartbreaking event, where so many lost their loved ones in an instant, and insinuating that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the inclusion of disabled people are the cause is not only unacceptable but also dangerous. Being a minority or having a disability does not imply intellectual inferiority."

U.S. Reps. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Frederica Wilson sharply criticized President Donald Trump for his assertion, offered without any evidence, that federal government diversity efforts were …

30/01/2025

.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz says she's been fielding concerns from individual Venezuelans and community leaders — “my neighbors and friends” — since the Trump administration announced roll back in temporary protected status for Venezuelans living in the U.S.
She lives in Weston, which has one of the largest Venezuelan populations in the United States — so big the city is sometimes referred to as Westonzuela.

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, whose South Florida district is home to many Venezuelans, decried a Trump administration rollback of temporary protected status. “It is dangerous for anyone to b…

30/01/2025

Broward’s members of Congress, who represent the most Democratic territory in Florida, are facing a strategic and moral quandary as they try to figure out how to operate in a political environment dominated by President Donald Trump and a Republican-controlled national government.
Their choice: make nice and cooperate — or fight like hell?
Or, possibly, some combination of both.

South Florida Democrats in Congress face a strategic and moral quandary as they try to figure out how to operate in a political environment dominated by President Donald Trump and a Republican-cont…

14/01/2025

The health care company Florida is suing to recover $5.8 million in alleged overpayments says the state waited more than three years to raise the issue — and then ignored the company’s response.
The state government lawsuit, filed Dec. 30, received an extra dose of public attention because the company’s former CEO is Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who is now a Broward-Palm Beach County member of Congress.

The South Florida-based health care company the state is suing to recover $5.8 million in alleged overpayments says in a court filing that the state waited three years to raise the issue — and then…

14/01/2025

Broward state Rep. Hillary Cassel declined to answer questions about her post-election decision to leave the Democratic Party and become a Republican.
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/01/11/after-switching-parties-state-rep-hillary-cassel-receives-heavy-blowback-and-praise-from-trump/

13/01/2025

If Florida ever allows the open carrying of fi****ms in the state, Broward Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott wants to make sure guns won’t be allowed in or near polling.
"I’m a proud gun owner and veteran, but no one should feel unsafe casting their vote."

If Florida ever allows the open carrying of fi****ms in the state, Broward Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott wants to make sure guns won’t be allowed in or near polling places.

13/01/2025

Reactions to state Rep. Hillary Cassel's leaving Democratic Party and becoming a Republican included sadness, scorn, anger and expressions of betrayal.
“She and I were very close. I feel like I mentored her through her first year.... It just sort of breaks my heart that she could go back on all the principles and ideals that we share.”

State Rep. Hillary Cassel has received scorching criticism for her post election announcement that she was leaving the Democratic Party and becoming a Republican. One constituent said she should re…

08/01/2025

The state of Florida says it overpaid a healthcare company $5.8 million for services during the height of the COVID pandemic — and the company won’t refund the money.
The company CEO at the time when the state says overpayments occurred was Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, now a Broward and Palm Beach county member of Congress.
“Trinity took advantage of the state of emergency the entire country was encountering due to the COVID-19 pandemic and knowingly processed an invoice more than 100 times its typical invoice size,” the complaint said.
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/01/08/florida-sues-miramar-company-to-recover-5-8-million-covid-overpayment-ceo-at-the-time-is-now-in-congress/

03/01/2025

A report containing findings by the Office of Congressional Ethics provides details of multiple campaign transactions and official government office activities by U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick that investigators said may have violated House rules and federal law.
The Office of Congressional Ethics said it relied on information from interviews with and documents provided by others, along with text messages and emails to and from the congresswoman. Some of those interviewed were named; another eight were identified with labels such as “Staffer 1” and “Witness 2.”
Cherfilus-McCormick: "The fact that the allegations were referred for further review does not indicate any violation has occurred."

“Findings of fact” by the Office of Congressional Ethics provide details of multiple campaign transactions and official government office activities by U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCorm…

30/12/2024

“Without Florida, Jimmy Carter would not have succeeded in getting to that final destination, which was to become president of the United States,” in 1976.
But four years later, Florida voters — like the majority nationwide — had soured on Carter, and he lost the state, badly, on his way to
becoming a one-term president.

Jimmy Carter’s victory in the Florida primary in 1976 helped propel him to the presidency. The results also showed Florida was part of the New South, turning a page on overt official and unof…

30/12/2024

New Palm Beach County Republican chair would like to return to the way voting was handled decades ago, when there was one Election Day.
Ideally, Carl Cascio said, he’d like to do away with mail voting for anyone who doesn’t have a legitimate reason to get a mail ballot.
He’d also eliminate the days of in-person early voting in the days leading up to Election Day.

“I’d like to be in the majority. That’s my goal,” says Palm Beach County Republican chairman Carl Cascio. He’d also like to end mail voting for anyone who doesn’t have a legitimate reas…

29/12/2024

Jimmy Carter made a big difference to Florida — and Florida made a big difference to him.
He might not have won the Democratic nomination, and the presidency, without Florida.

Jimmy Carter, the former president who died Sunday at age 100, was best known for his post-presidential humanitarian efforts at home and around the world, and his work advancing democracy and peace…

26/12/2024

Florida Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo is doubling down on his centrist message message — and seeking distance from the party’s progressive wing.
"Identity politics" is out; "more practical" is in.

With Jason Pizzo leading Florida Senate Democrats, identity politics and progressive politics are out. Others reject the idea that too much progressivism doomed the Democrats in 2024.

20/12/2024

State Rep. Chip LaMarca, R-Lighthouse Point, lived most of his life in Fort Lauderdale, and represents much of the city.
He didn't embrace — nor did he rule out — speculation that he might move back and run for mayor.
(Job isn't open for 4 years.)

State Rep. Chip LaMarca, R-Lighthouse Point, spent most of his life in Fort Lauderdale, and represents much of the city. He’s being whispered about as a possible future candidate for mayor. He didn…

17/12/2024

Moskowitz says he won't leave Congress to become Trump's FEMA chief, and he's running for reelection.
“To be clear, nothing was ever offered.”

U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz is reportedly under consideration by President-elect Donald Trump to head the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

17/12/2024

Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz seeks to tamp down, but doesn't completely rule out, prospect of becoming FEMA chief in Trump administration.
“All rumor and conjecture. I have no plans on leaving Congress.”

U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz is reportedly under consideration by President-elect Donald Trump to head the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

16/12/2024

Broward County Democrats reelected Rick Hoye as party chair, hoping his plans to invigorate the county party’s infrastructure improve its performance in the 2026 gubernatorial and 2028 presidential elections.
Two other leaders — the lead state committeewoman, Grace Carrington, and the recording secretary, Aude M.L. Sicard, were reelected, along with five new officers. Most were elected with sizeable margins. All but one was allied with Hoye.
As often happens with internal leadership contests it wasn’t harmonious before, during or after the elections.
Voting stretched on for hours in what some said was a space that was too crowded. There were disputes over who was eligible to vote and how proxies for people who weren’t present were handled. And some want the state Democratic Party to order a do-over.

Broward County Democrats reelected Rick Hoye as party chair, hoping his plans to invigorate the county party’s infrastructure improve its performance in the 2026 gubernatorial and 2028 presidential…