ORLANDO—Today, the Florida Leadership Council (FLC) announced its second round of 2024 endorsements in key races to flip the legislature, get us back on track, and restore common sense in Florida. FLC is a group of more than 100 former legislators, elected officials, and veteran Democratic strategists to rebuild leadership in Florida so that we can get back to focusing on the real issues and create an environment where working families can thrive for decades to come.
The organization is led by Former Education Commissioner Betty Castor, Former Florida CFO Alex Sink, Former State Senator Winston Gardner Jr., Former State Senator Loranne Ausley, Former Florida Attorney General Bob Butterworth, Former State Representative Ben Diamond, Former Congressman Larry Smith, Broward County Commissioner Nan Rich, and Former State Representative Dick Batchelor.
“Floridians are ready for leadership that focuses on the real issues that affect us everyday, like rising costs and the insurance crisis. As Floridians, we reject the politics of hate and are ready for leaders who believe in our personal freedom, including protecting women’s reproductive rights,” said Jon Mills, Former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. “These dedicated leaders— Nate Douglas, Leonard Spencer, Maria Revelles, Rachelle Litt, Kelley Diona Miller, Ashley Brundage, Marsha Summersill, Rep. Ashley Gantt, and Norma Perez Schwartz—are the champions we need, ready to prioritize Floridians over politics and address the real issues affecting our communities.”
- Kelley Diona Miller (HD 36): Diona works in Human Resources and currently serves as an Executive Committee Member for the Seminole County NAACP Branch and spends every day advocating for others. She is running for the Florida State House because Florida needs a people’s advocate fighting for the interests of her working-class neighbors in Tallahassee.
- Nate Douglas (HD 37): A policy researcher and climate organizer, Douglas is poised to be the strong advocate House District 37 needs in Tallahassee, championing the cause of hard-working families over corporate interests.
- Marsha Summersill (HD 39): Summersill, is a lawyer who has served as an investigator, a forensic interviewer, and an advocate for children and victims of abuse with DCF, the Child Protection Team, and Children’s Legal Services for 18 years and is a lifelong advocate for Florida families and children. Summersill is committed to fighting for quality healthcare, and reproductive rights, and tackling the property insurance crisis.
- Leonard Spencer (HD 45): Leonard Spencer is a proven business and community leader who is working to provide new opportunities for everyone in our state. He is running to protect our fundamental rights, including the right to choose, lower the costs of living, and a quality education system.
- Maria Revelles (HD 47): Revelles is a lifelong affordable housing advocate, union leader, and organizer. As a commissioner of Housing, Revelles spearheaded efforts to provide accessible, affordable housing in Florida. Revelles is committed to fighting to protect our rights and freedoms and giving all hardworking families a fair shot at a better future.
- Ashley Brundage (HD 65): Brundage is a former vice president of diversity and inclusion at PNC Bank and is now the Founder and President of Empowering Differences, an organization that provides training and leadership development programs. Brundage is committed to addressing key issues, including reproductive rights, the property insurance crisis, and the empowerment of small businesses across Florida.
- Rachelle Litt (HD 94): Litt is an experienced public servant with a proven track record. Her firsthand experience dealing with the shortcomings of America’s healthcare system, both as a professional pharmacist and as a mom to children born with genetic medical conditions, initially inspired her to become involved in politics and public policy. Litt first won a seat on the City Council in 2017 and served as Mayor from April 2021 to 2022.
- Ashley Gantt (HD 109): Rep. Gantt is an attorney and educator running for reelection to represent Miami-Dade County in the state house. In her first year as State Representative, Rep. Gantt has continued her lifetime work of serving her community by standing up for our rights and freedoms. She has secured lactation spaces for mothers in all Florida courthouses, defended reproductive rights, protected black history in our schools, brought back $500,000 for after-school programs, protected tenants’ rights, and more.
- Norma Perez Schwartz (HD 115): Schwartz is an advocate for education with over two decades of experience in Early Learning. She is running to fiercely advocate for women’s fundamental rights, take action on the property insurance crisis, support seniors, and ensure our youth have a future.
This announcement follows FLC’s previous endorsements for the 2024 election cycle, which included Tom Keen in HD 35, Sarah Henry in HD 38, Jay Shooster in HD 91, and Joe Saunders in HD 106.
The Florida Leadership Council is a group of more than 100 former legislators, elected officials, and veteran Democratic strategists working to rebuild leadership in Florida so that we can get back to focusing on the real issues and create an environment where working families can thrive for decades to come.