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Former U.S. Rep. Ron Klein takes leadership position at Florida Democratic Party

Friday, February 15th, 2013 by Dara Kam

Klein

Former U.S. Rep. Ron Klein is taking a top fundraising spot at the Florida Democratic Party.

Klein, a Boca Raton lawyer ousted from Congress in 2010 by former U.S. Rep. Allen West, will take over as chairman of the state party’s Board of Trustees, according to a press release issued by FDP Chairwoman Allison Tant.

Veteran Democratic fundraiser Andrew Weinstein, a Coral Gables lawyer who served on President Obama’s national finance team, will be the party’s new finance chairman. The appointments are part of FDP Chairwoman Allison Tant’s restructuring of the party since she took over as its chief late last month.

“I couldn’t be more excited that Ron and Andrew are coming on board. They’re proven fundraisers and longtime veterans of Democratic campaigns. And they’re just as focused as I am on defeating Governor Rick Scott and electing Florida Democrats in 2014, 2016, and beyond,” Tant said on the blog.

Klein served as two terms in Congress and 14 years in the state legislature, including a stint as Senate Democratic Leader.

Palm Beach County Dems endorse Clendenin, put more pressure on wavering committeeman

Thursday, January 10th, 2013 by George Bennett

Palm Beach County’s Democratic Executive Committee endorsed Alan Clendenin for state party chairman tonight – putting the local party at odds with Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Sen. Bill Nelson and the county’s congressional delegation.

The county DEC’s endorsement of Clendenin over Allison Tant isn’t binding, but it heaps more pressure on wavering State Committeeman John Ramos, who signed an endorsement of Clendenin on Monday but announced today that he would support Tant.

After tonight’s DEC vote, Ramos said he was torn over how he should vote in the Jan. 26 election for state chairman in Lake Mary.

Ramos and State Committeewoman Bunny Steinman are the only people who will actually cast ballots on behalf of the county in the chairman’s race.

“I would say he’s morally bound (to vote for Clendenin), maybe not legally,” Palm Beach County Democratic Party parliamentarian Ira Raab said after tonight’s vote.

Ramos, who had left the meeting before the vote to endorse Clendenin, was told of the DEC’s action by a reporter and initially sounded unsure of how he’ll respond.

“I’m going to have to seek advice,” Ramos said. “As state committeeman, that’s my job to represent the party. That’s a quandary for me.”

(more…)

Obama fundraiser this week at home of recount lawyer – who represented Bush

Monday, August 22nd, 2011 by Dara Kam

Barry Richard, the lawyer who was instrumental in keeping Al Gore out of the White House a decade ago, is hosting a fundraiser for President Obama at his Tallahassee home on Wednesday.

Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Congresswoman from South Florida, will be the guest star at the fundraiser (suggested donations are $100) at the home of Richard and his wife Allison Tant. Wasserman Schultz served in both the state House and Senate before going to Washington.

Richard, a silver-haired Democrat, was a key figure in the historic recount legal battle known as “Bush vs. Gore,” arguing on behalf of George W. Bush all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

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