Early today Leslie Wimes, President and Founder of the Democratic African American Woman’s Caucus of Florida posted a blog on Sunshine State News about Establishment Democrat and candidate for Governor of Florida, Gwen Graham. In this blog she points out that Gwen Graham has more colors than a chameleon. As a member of the Democratic Establishment, Graham enjoys the luxury of her father’s name and fundraising rolodex, but not his politics. Where Bob Graham was not afraid to stand up to the powers that be for what is good and true, his daughter in her time as a North Florida Congresswoman has cast many votes contradictory to the very soul of the Democratic Party. Voting for the Keystone XL Pipeline and against protecting legal marijuana states from federal authorities are but a handful of her poor public policy decisions. Now it would seem she is flip-flopping on popular issues like gun reform depending on who the audience is.
Yet, for all these indiscretions, which Ms. Wimes points out, I see other progressives writing blogs like, “Is the Florida GOP cheering for Gillum?” These serve no purpose but as a hit pieces towards Ms. Wimes. Her decision to blog on Sunshine State News is her own. And, many accuse her of being a GOP mouthpiece because she blogs on this popular conservative news site. This could not be farther from the truth. Leslie Wimes is a pro-black, anti-establishment Democrat who cares deeply for her community. In every blog she has written, I see the underlying theme that the Democratic Party’s Establishment has failed the African American community time and time again.
In this, we stand in agreement. The Democratic Party’s Establishment has failed African Americans, Latinos, and Millennials-especially women. We see this in public policy put forward or rather never even proposed by the Establishment’s elected officers and candidates. What we need is a Progressive revolution.
Andrew Gillum, a young black mayor from Tallahassee, whose progressive politics have been evident since he first took office in his twenties stands as Florida’s next best hope for change. A mayor who took the NRA on in court and never blinked. One who has never flip-flopped his positions, but rather remained true to his convictions. This is the future of our Democratic Party and we progressives should remain united behind him. We cannot let personal squabbles sabotage the candidacy of one of our best and brightest millennial leaders.
You may not like Leslie Wimes personally, but you have to respect her tenaciousness for her community and the progressive movement. Many might not like that she and fellow DNC member Nikki Barnes were not fans of St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman and did not support his re-election. If you took a trip to Mid-Town, you might understand why. Latinos and African Americans share a common future and a common past. Until the Democratic Party’s elite address the concerns and issues facing our communities, you will find voices like Leslie, Nikki, and even myself railing against white supremacy and institutional racism within our ranks. To call any of us GOP mouthpieces is not only asinine and short sighted, but just plain dumb. Our revolution cannot continue if we allow Establishment Dems the opportunity to salt up the candidacy of our best hope to take back Florida from the Republicans.
By Christopher Cano, Past President of the Hillsborough County Democratic Hispanic Caucus
Christopher Cano, M.P.A
Executive Director
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CFL NORML
813.767.5295
