Debbie Mucarsel Powell Endorses Taddeo

State Senator Annette Taddeo (D) is challenging Florida Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R), and as she makes her case for flipping the seat blue, Taddeo has announced that she has received the endorsement from Florida Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (R).

In 2018, after Florida Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R) announced his reelection bid, Rep. Mucarsel-Powell challenged and went on to defeat Curbelo, turning the district blue. However, in her reelection bid in 2020, the seat was once again flipped red after former Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez (R) defeated her.

Similar to what Mucarsel-Powell said and did in 2018, Taddeo is affirming that she can unseat Elvira Salazar to turn the district blue.

On social media this week, Mucarsel Powel announced that she was supporting Taddeo's bid to do so, calling Taddeo a "good friend."

"I know what it takes to serve and it requires someone who will show up every day and put the interests of the community before anything else," Mucarsel Powell added.

The former member of Congress added more insight into the reasoning behind the endorsement, sharing that "Annette will put the interests of her constituents above anything else." "As a Colombian American she understands the needs of our community & will bring strong leadership," she further expressed.

Taddeo's primary challenger is Commissioner Ken Russell (D), who recently found himself in controversy after Taddeo pointed out mistakes in a message his campaign released in Spanish. Responding to the coverage of the criticism she directed to Russell's message, Taddeo reminded her followers that Florida's 27th district "is a 75% Hispanic district."

"Not only do I speak the language of the voters but the cultural nuances as well," Taddeo expressed, noting that "this is how we will bring back the Hispanic vote."

Shortly after announcing the end of her gubernatorial run earlier this month, Taddeo endorsed Florida Rep. Charlie Crist (D), and her endorsed Taddeo in return.