Our focus for the next two years couldn’t be clearer. We intend to defeat Governor Rick Scott. He has put Florida on the wrong track, and has shown us over and over that he has the wrong priorities and is out of touch with Florida’s values.

For example, he slashed hundreds of millions of dollars from Florida’s education system — the gateway to opportunity and the key to growing our economy – eliminating jobs and causing hardships for teachers, schools, children and families across the state.

He said “no” to billions of federal dollars that would have improved the health of Florida’s citizens and lowered everyone’s costs, while creating thousands of health care jobs. And he backed the voter suppression law, creating Florida’s election debacle that was a laughing stock of the nation. Yet he always seems to find the time and the tax dollars for handouts to his corporate friends.

Democrats believe we all benefit when every Floridian has a fair shot at success – not just those born to wealth or privilege. In Sarasota — just as in Orlando, Tampa, and Miami — we are building a new coalition based on this vision of a better America for all of us. These values resonated during the last election, and we will continue to fight for these values as we make our case to the voters in 2014.

I was humbled by the efforts so many put into winning this last election for Barack Obama. And I expect I will be humbled again as our energetic and motivated Sarasota County Democrats take on the job of defeating Rick Scott and making Florida a better place to live and do business. Join us! (Note: this piece also appeared as a guest editorial in SRQ Magazine).

“[In one America], you have a new vice president who co-sponsored a bill that would allow pregnant women to die preventable deaths in our emergency rooms. An America in which states humiliate women by forcing us to endure invasive ultrasounds we don’t want and our doctors say we don’t need. An America in which access to birth control is controlled by people who will never use it; in which politicians redefine rape so survivors are victimized all over again; in which someone decides which domestic violence victims deserve help, and which don’t. …it’s not the America we should be. It’s not who we are.

“We’ve also seen another future we could choose. First of all, we’d have the right to choose. It’s an America in which no one can charge us more than men for the exact same health insurance; in which no one can deny us affordable access to the cancer screenings that could save our lives; in which we decide when to start our families. An America in which our president, when he hears a young woman has been verbally attacked, thinks of his daughters—not his delegates or donors—and stands with all women.”

Among so many important issues, this election is about the right of women to decide their own futures, decide about their own bodies, and their right to health care when they need it. Watch the full video of her speech and you, too, will be moved – moved to choose the future “where we mean it when we talk about personal freedom, [not] one where that freedom doesn’t apply to our bodies and our voices.”

So why would the former EMILY’s List director come to fundraise for Keith Fitzgerald, with so many female progressive candidates to support? Because Fitzgerald has a significant chance to defeat incumbent Vern Buchanan, who is engulfed in legal investigations, including those being conducted by the Justice Department and the IRS.  With the House in play, Sarasota represents a chance for a Democratic pick-up from a GOP incumbent known for his fundraising abilities, and because of this, we can expect to see many more heavy hitters coming to fundraise in Sarasota.

As has happened in the past, however, a strong anti-immigration strain has made headway in our nation, and will be a factor in this coming election. Here in Sarasota, the local Republican Party has initiated several anti-immigrant petition drives – one that would make English the official language of the United States (making life more difficult for all immigrants, including those here legally), and another petition supporting passage of laws similar to the strident anti-immigrant law passed in Arizona in 2010, SB 1070, which encourages racial profiling and harassment of Hispanics and other minorities, regardless of their legal immigration status. At the national level, Mitt Romney has said that America should make it so miserable for undocumented immigrants that they will “deport themselves.” That sounds like support for the Arizona-style laws to me.

In a nation where greatness was built on a foundation of immigrant mothers, fathers, daughters and sons, these harsh and punitive proposals are neither appropriate nor beneficial for America. Instead, like President Obama, I believe that comprehensive immigration reform is needed to protect the interests of Americans while at the same time creating responsible optionsfor those who want to start a life in the United States. The DREAM Act – a bipartisan legislative proposal that would provide a path toward citizenship for young people eager to get an education, work hard, and make a contribution to America’s future – is a key part of his solution.

As President Obama said earlier this month, “we’regoing to keep fighting for this common-sense reform — not just because hundredsof thousands of talented young students depend on it, but because ultimately America depends on it.” Legislation like the DREAM Act allows our nation to continue our proud “melting pot” tradition, while improving our economy by harnessing the talents of young people who want to work hard and make our future brighter. The contrast between the two parties on this critical issue is clear, and as a daughter of immigrants, I hope that we will all remember what is needed to help American families succeed.

Stephanie was in Sarasota for private meetings with donors and candidates.  She talked about how EMILY’s List helped to add three more pro-choice Democratic women to the House of Representatives through recent special elections, and how EMILY’s List plans to continue to increase those numbers in the Senate and the House, come this November.

Jerry majored in political science at Tulane and received a law degree from Northwestern. Not long after graduating law school, Jerry met Robert Kennedy at a dinner party and signed on to work on his presidential campaign. After Kennedy’s assassination, Jerry led the movement in Ohio to lower the voting age from 21 to 18, which resulted in resulted in his Senate Judiciary Committee testimony supporting ratification of the 26^th Amendment to the Constitution. Springer served five terms on Cincinnati City Council and became mayor at age 33.

We were delighted when Jerry Springer hosted a special evening of Wine, Cheese & Politics as a fundraiser for the Sarasota Democratic Club. Jerry spoke eloquently on our need to be vigilant in support of our middle class, Medicare, Social Security, and cornerstone values of the Democratic Party: “There is a reason we are all Democrats. We believe in America everyone deserves a shot at the American dream….not just the wealthy.”

We are planning a few more Jerry Springer events before November. So plan on coming down to Sarasota for our next event with Jerry!

After significant backlash, the Komen Foundation reversed course and announced that Planned Parenthood would still be eligible for its grants, maintaining Planned Parenthood’s ability to offer vital breast cancer screenings to low-income women.  The controversy, ignited in part by a right-wing Komen vice president, fell into a pattern of right-wing attacks on women’s reproductive health, including Rush Limbaugh’s infamous verbal assault on law student Sandra Fluke for using birth control.

Ms. Richards emphasized the importance of maintaining women’s reproductive freedoms as part of a broader commitment to personal freedoms and women’s equality, and noted that these issues are sure to be an important part of the upcoming campaign, particularly when the two parties have exhibited such clear differences in their policy approaches on this front.

Wasserman Schultz spoke about the strong bond between the two nations and highlighted President Obama’s efforts to strengthen that relationship.  Israel continues to be the largest recipient of U.S. Foreign Military Finance Program funds for military training and equipment. In 2010, the administration sent $2.775 billion (the largest amount ever) in security assistance funding to Israel, and increased that amount to $3 billion in 2011.

The administration has also provided the Israeli military access to advanced U.S. military systems.  Moreover, President Obama has stood strong with Israel against threats Iran, and against terrorist organizations such as Hamas.  And time and time again, President Obama has stood against efforts in the international community to de-legitimize Israel, making clear his administration’s commitment to a two-state solution that protects Israel’s interests.  (You can learn more about President Obama’s stances on Israel by visiting Jewish Americans for Obama.)

DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz and U.S. Congressional candidate Keith Fitzgerald

After speaking on Israel, Wasserman Schultz’s second stop was a fundraiser in support of Congressional candidate Keith Fitzgerald.   National party leaders have tapped Sarasota Democrat Keith Fitzgerald as one of their best bets to beat an incumbent in the 2012 election, which is sure to keep a spotlight on our area that goes beyond our role as a presidential battleground.

I served as a member of the host committee and had the privilege of meeting Mrs. Obama at the event, which took place at a private home in Sarasota.  Her Sarasota visit highlights this area’s importance in November.

Mrs. Obama focused on her efforts to promote children’s health and wellness programs, as well as discussing the President’s key accomplishments over his first three years in office, including healthcare reform, financial industry reform, small business tax incentives, fair wage legislation and educational programs such as Race to the Top.

She also discussed the upcoming election, underscoring the President’s philosophy: “the President believes there are no second-class citizens in America. Every night he reads letters from citizens across the country and he feels strongly that everyone deserves the opportunity to make a better life.” Her visit was a great kick-off to 2012, invigorating locals and showing that Sarasota will be a key campaign destination between now and November.

Tomorrow is election day here in Sarasota, with three out five commission seats up for grabs. That means if you live in districts 1, 2, or 3 (that means everyone in the city of Sarasota) your vote counts!! In 2009, when two at-large commission seats were up for election, only 20% of registered voters—not total residents, only registered voters—came to the polls. In the end, the difference between being elected and not being elected was a mere 104 votes.

Your vote is critical for a number of reasons. With so few ballots cast, your vote really does count. More than that, though, and no matter how you vote, voting is a cornerstone of democratic society. The less we vote, the less democratic our society is. Also, while we might be electing officials to represent us, those officials do not constitute “the city” on their own. We, the residents, the citizens, are the city. Voting is a privilege, but it is also the responsibility of citizens. If we are the city, it is up to us to inform ourselves and exercise our authority as citizens.

Civic involvement is one of the qualities that makes Laurel Park a special place. You don’t have to live here long to know how passionate our residents feel about their neighborhood (us included!). When passion leads to action, anything is possible. So speak with your vote tomorrow and do your part to make Sarasota as good as it can be!

Okay, I’ll climb off the soapbox now. For all election-related information, visit sarasotavotes.com

The City of Sarasota has a major election coming up, as three seats on the City Commission are up for grabs. Have you registered to vote? Do you know which district you live in? Have you met the candidates? Local elections are extremely important, as local decisions have the greatest impact on your day to day life. The elections will take place March 8th, with February 7th being the last day to register.

“The City encourages you to participate in all elections. Voting is a fundamental right of our democracy. When you vote, you could be selecting Commissioners, voting on Referendums or Amendments to the City Charter. The Commission approves Ordinances and Resolutions; voter turnout determines what Referendums and Amendments pass. All of this with your participation will define how the City of Sarasota functions and how we live together.

Municipal government is involved in many aspects of our daily lives – from fixing roads, providing water and electricity, collecting garbage, supporting the arts, providing and maintaining sports venues and protecting our City’s citizens. Make an informed choice and browse the City’s website to learn about the issues facing the City of Sarasota and the City Commission’s many areas of responsibilities.” (from the City of Sarasota website)

Register to vote and find other important information at srqelections.com