First-ever County Caucus in Lee
To the editor:
This year, Florida will send seven local residents as part of a 300 delegation to the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. to officially select the Democratic nominees for President and Vice President as well as adopt the Party’s National Platform. The convention will be held the week of Sept. 3. This is an opportunity to build the party and get the grassroots activists excited. Since the Florida Democratic Party is following the Democratic National Committee rules by not holding the caucus too early, they are rewarded with an extra 20 delegates at the national convention.
The path to becoming a delegate to the National Convention and electing our next Democratic President begins by participating in a County Caucus. On May 5, Democrats from across our state will gather in their communities to hold the 2012 County Caucuses. At our caucus, we’ll be electing delegates who will begin their path to representing our community at the State Convention in Tampa and the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. At our county Democratic Executive Committee caucuses around the state, 1500 state convention delegates will be elected to attend the state convention in Tampa on June 2 -3.
I’d like to encourage all Democrats in our community to attend the Caucus and show their support for our party. Our Caucus is on May 5, at 10051 McGregor Boulevard, Suite 103, Fort Myers, Florida, from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. The caucus will be held in the Edwards Building at the Alliance for the Arts on the corner of McGregor Boulevard and Colonial Boulevard.
In addition, I would like to encourage you to apply to be a delegate. There is a good chance for many people to at least make it to the state convention. The Democratic Party of Lee County may elect 41 delegates (21 females and 20 males) for the state convention. Any Democrat that is registered to vote in Lee County is eligible to apply for delegate and may attend our caucus. At the state convention, seven district-level delegates (three females and four males) will be elected by the state convention delegates in Congressional district 14. For more information or for an application, go to our website at leecountydems.org or call 239-939-2866. County delegate filing ends on April 27.
These Caucuses are Florida’s time to shine. Hope to see you there!
Sandra McClinton
Cape Coral
Chair, Democratic Party
of Lee County