Just as former Broward County Commissioner and congressional candidate Barbara Sharief announced her candidacy to take on State Senate Democratic Minority Leader Lauren Book, Book followed up with her scathing original posting from Monday by rolling out a list of endorsements from her colleagues in the Florida Senate.
The endorsees—Sen. Shevrin Jones, Bobby Powell, Loranne Ausley, Lory Berman, Randolph Bracy, Tina Polsky, Janet Cruz, Darryl Rouson, Senator Victor Torres, Jr, Linda Stewart, and her good friend, Sen. Jason Pizzo.
Sen. Book’s rollout of support could be enough to make Commissioner Sharief second guess her primary challenge against her, arguably one of the most popular rising stars in Florida, and seen as one of the last hopes Florida Democrats may have in the years to com
“Lauren has not only been an effective Democratic Leader but an incredible voice for our party and the people of this state. We chose her to be the Senate Minority Leader because she has been and continues to be an effective and passionate leader for Democrats everywhere - and her work in Tallahassee is far from over,” stated Sen. Berman.
Sen. Jones, who is probably the best-dressed member of the Senate when Sen. Pizzo is not in the room, spoke to Book’s ability to work with all factions within the Democratic Party.
“I have worked side by side with Senator Book and have seen first-hand her passion, her commitment and her effectiveness in supporting our Democratic values. She constantly works with every member of our Caucus to ensure the priorities of each of our constituencies become her priorities as well, so that Senate Democrats are united in improving the lives and livelihoods of all Floridians,” said Sen. Jones. Lauren leads by listening, uplifting voices that go unheard, and by championing causes that affect everyday people. Our party is stronger under her leadership and that is why I am proud to support and endorse Lauren Book in her re-election to the Florida Senate.”
Sen. Pizzo, who appears to be Book’s political partner in crime, did not mince his words about Sharief’s candidacy, questioning if she “selfishly dismisses or doesn’t understand” what a primary challenge to the Senate Democratic leader could mean for Democrats statewide.
“There is no one better positioned to lead the fight to elect Democrats to the Florida Senate than Lauren Book, and I fully endorse her re-election campaign. Lauren has worked hard to build strong support for both our incumbent Democratic Senators and a strong, diverse slate of candidates who have what it takes to win new ground. At a time when our competent and capable leader should be focusing squarely on fighting for her fellow Democrats — leading us to victory at the ballot box this November — she is now forced to spend precious resources on her own seat in a primary,” stated Sen. Pizzo before questioning Sharief’s motives, adding, “While her own race will not affect a Democrat being elected, it could very well affect our ability to win races across the state — something any challenger either selfishly dismisses or doesn’t understand. Lauren Book is the minority leader, of the upper chamber, in the third-largest state in the country. We all will see her return to fulfill the duties she so diligently performs.”
Senator Tina Polsky, who could face a primary challenge of her own from fellow Democratic Senator Gary Farmer, called Book a “steady voice for the people of Florida” and “sets the bar high for every senator in Florida and does so with such compassion, intelligence, and resilience.”
Book’s responds to the endorsement:
“I am deeply honored to be endorsed for re-election by my friends and colleagues in the Florida Senate. Fighting for Broward County and our shared Democratic ideals has been the honor of a lifetime as we unite to improve the quality of life for everyday Floridians, protect freedom of speech, promote equality, defend women’s rights, expand access to healthcare, and create an economy that works for us all - so that every Floridian can live their own version of the American dream.”
