Florida’s House

Tampa friends! Who will we see run for Florida’s State legislature in 2020? Which issues will dominate the election? Climate change, educational equity, cannabis rights, voting protection, bolstering sustainable jobs?

Someone needs to run against and defeat Rep. Toledo for South Tampa’s house seat. Who might it be? Former candidates David Singer or Debra Bellanti, attorney Matt Newton, or someone else?

We need someone to primary Sen. Rouson; maybe former Reps. Ed Narain or Sean Shaw? Any ideas?

Thankfully Jessica Harrington is running against Rep. Grant! Are there any other state legislators who need replacing? Who could be the ideal candidate to rise to the challenge of changing Florida’s House & Senate? Comment below with who and why!

Stay groovy!

— Asher

Welcome Asher Edelson

Good morning Tampa Bay!

I have not written for the Stogie before and I am excited to do so today!

For my inaugural Stogie posting, I would like to talk about Andrew Gillum. He is the best candidate running for Governor of Florida. He has a progressive platform and was the first major gubernatorial candidate in modern Florida history to endorse full cannabis legalization. Gillum has a solid background in Tallahassee as a trailblazer who won his first significant office at age 23 (an age which I will soon leave behind). He is quite electable, too, with the authenticity to win over more than the average base that will vote blue regardless; Gillum can bring it home for young people, progressives, and communities of color. He can win and be an excellent Governor.

I want to see Hillsborough County public officials endorse Andrew Gillum. Officials across the state from Orlando’s Carlos Smith to South Florida’s Frederica Wilson have done it, but so far as I’ve seen, none from Tampa/Hillsborough have endorsed him.

What about our progressives? What about County Commissioner Pat Kemp? City Councilor Frank Reddick? Former State Representative Ed Narain? State Attorney Andrew Warren? If people stand up and ask our elected politicians to make the endorsement, it will be more likely to happen.

Thank you for reading!

Asher Edelson

The Stogie Recommends

US Senate
Alan Grayson
Clerk of Circuit Court: 
Kevin Beckner

County Commissioner, Dist. 6:
Pat Kemp

13th Judicial Circuit Group 24:
Isabel Cissy Boza Sevelin

School Board Member District 7:
Randy Toler

Florida State Senate:
Ed Narain

Solar
Yes on 4

Laila Abdelaziz Endorses Ed Narain

Ed Narain (In my opinion, Ed is one of the most impressive state legislators we have. Although he has served a short time in the State House, electing Ed to the State Senate would do a lot to strengthen the State Democratic Party’s leadership) here

Quarterly Resident Happy Hour - Candidate Forum

Kevin Beckner and Dave Cutler

What an honor, I met Mr. Beckner's nom and dad.

 Local Treasure Joe Redner with friends

Ed Narain with friends

Members of 'Heights Urban Core Chamber" with Pat Kemp

Stop TBX

At The Brew Bus in Seminole Heights here

Legislative Delegation @ Amalie Arena

Folks from Yellow cab, April Griffin, Pat Kemp with friend 

and local blogger Tim Fasano.

Chris and Alberto of Central Florida Norml

more
Our thoughts
Tom Lee: Has a nice face and looks like he could be a nice guy, too bad he is GOP.
Dana Young: Is smart and hot! Too bad she is GOP
John Legg: Was more interested in his cell phone and eating his nuts 
then what was going on.
Ed Narain and  Arthenia Joyner looked bored. 

And Jeff Brandes looked shady.

New Dem Love Fest In Tampa

A bunch of Tampa Bay New Dems will be joining Gwen Graham for a major fundraiser at Pat Frank's house.

The list includes

Mayor Bob Buckhorn,
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman,
Janet Cruz, Dwight Dudley,
Ed Narain, Amanda Murphy,
Hillsborough County Property Appraiser
Bob Henriquez, 

Sen. Arthenia Joyner,
former Gov. Charlie Crist, 
Tampa City Council members
Harry Cohen and Mike Suarez, 
Alex Sink and Jim Davis. here

Why are Progressives Rick Kriseman, Dwight Dudley,
 Ed Narain, and Amanda Murphy attending? 
And Pat Frank just helped us make up our minds on her race with Kevin Beckner.

Tampa Beware Of Ed Narain

 Ed Narain clearly tries to portray himself as a “Grassroots Democrat”, it became clear almost immediately is that he is being funded through a combination of Republican PACs, Disney and other Chamber of Commerce forces, and interests from the insurance industry.  Almost every contribution at the $1,000 level could be traced to one of those three elements.  While this type of fundraising is expected in Republican candidates, when a Democrat posts such a specific fundraising base, flags should be raised. here

Ed Narain For Florida

Ed Narain is a dedicated member of the Tampa community who has served in various community and civic roles over the last nineteen years. Ed is a former USF Student Body President and a member of College Leadership Florida. While a student leader, Ed was elected Secretary/Treasurer of the Florida Student Association Board and received the first USF Student Affairs Leadership Award.

check him out here