Florida Democrats are going at each other’s necks.
In a rare twist during this election cycle, Florida Democrats made a significant decision on Sunday, voting to permanently remove Robert Dempster from his position as the Miami-Dade County Democratic Party chair. This move came after state party chair Nikki Fried suspended him earlier in the month.
During a lengthy meeting that stretched for nearly seven hours, Dempster and Franklin County Chair Carol Barfield were ousted from their elected roles by members of the Florida Democratic Party State Central Committee. Conversely, Mindy Koch, the Palm Beach County party chair, who had also been suspended by Fried, was reinstated through a 67-36 vote. Now, the Franklin and Miami-Dade Democratic committees have the responsibility of electing new permanent chairs within the next 45 days.
Nikki Fried conveyed her thoughts following the vote, stating, “When I was elected chair, I made a promise that we would never have another election cycle like 2022. We need our local parties to register voters, recruit candidates, and raise money to ensure that we’re competitive in 2024 and beyond.”
In response to his removal, Dempster refrained from commenting directly, instead redirecting inquiries to Thomas Kennedy, a former Florida Democratic National Committee member. Kennedy characterized the vote as “an embarrassing waste of time,” suggesting that the party’s efforts should be directed towards engaging with voters, particularly those who have shifted to independent affiliations.
This development adds to the ongoing challenges faced by Miami-Dade Democrats in recent years. Despite making strides during the Obama administration, the party witnessed a significant decline in support in 2020, notably in Biden’s vote share, which dropped by 10 percentage points compared to previous elections.
Leading up to the vote, Dempster and his allies in Miami-Dade actively lobbied central committee members, advocating for his reinstatement. In a letter penned by Wayne Brody, vice chair of the Miami-Dade Democrats’ Voter Protection Committee, arguments were presented against Dempster’s removal, citing non-compliance with party bylaws and suggesting personal motivations behind the decision.
Nikki Fried’s decision to suspend Dempster and others was part of a broader strategy to realign local Democratic parties. Fried emphasized the necessity of addressing unresolved issues and non-compliance within the party, warning against the repercussions of inaction.
While these actions aim to restore order within the party, they also risk causing disruption, especially with crucial primaries approaching. Maria Elena Lopez, the current acting chair of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party, expressed concerns about the impact of such upheaval on the party’s effectiveness.
In the aftermath of the vote, Lopez lamented the process, highlighting its detrimental effects on party operations. Despite Fried’s intentions, questions remain about the ultimate impact of these measures on improving the local party’s standing and effectiveness.
