Since announcing her run for the U.S. Congress, Florida state Senator Annette Taddeo (D) has risen to the forefront of the Democratic primary race. Polls indicate that she is leading Commissioner Ken Russell (D) in the race, and Taddeo has expanded her influence by sharing a number of endorsements. However, Taddeo is now rescinding her endorsement of Naomi Blemur, citing past comments, and expressing that she'll remain "neutral" regarding the primary race.
Over the weekend, the Florida Democrat shared an endorsement from the Miami Herald, which further boosts her campaign over Russell, the one senatorial hopeful. In the Miami Herald's endorsement, the Herald says that Taddeo "offers Democrats the best chance of flipping a seat in South Florida," adding that "the Democratic nominee will have a tough race in November" and that "voters should pick someone who's been battle-tested and can build a coalition."
Earlier this month, the Herald also endorsed Charlie Crist (D) for Florida Governor, and Crist received the endorsement from Taddeo as well after she dropped out of the gubernatorial race.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D), who's challenging Crist for the Democratic nomination, is vacating her post, and a primary election will determine the November race for her replacement. Blemur, who had received a number of endorsements from prominent Democrats, was poised to dominate the Democratic primary. However, after past comments deemed homophobic and after calling abortion a sin, Democrats have since rescinded their endorsements.
Taddeo is the latest to do.
On social media, Taddeo shared that "recently, Facebook posts from Naomi have surfaced which have brought to light some of her past anti-choice and anti-LGBTQ views, contrary to my strong position on these issues."
Taddeo added that "people evolve through knowledge and humility but excuses are a poor substitute," informing that she "will be staying neutral in that primary moving forward."
Blemur is a pastor, Miami-Dade Democratic Party Committeewoman, and she is also a businesswoman.
