Gay Quadfecta in Florida Primaries

Florida made History By Electing First Openly Gay State Legislator

Voters in Florida 113 House district (part of Miami Beach and Miami, Little Havana), elected David Richardson, an openly gay CPA in the Democratic primary. Richardson, a Democrat, beat Adam Kravitz, a lawyer who founded JDate, Mark Weithorn, husband of Miami Beach Commissioner Dedee Weithorn, and Waldo Faura, Jr., an insurance adjuster.

Receiving 33 percent of the vote, Richardson, had the support of the AFL-CIO and the United Teacher’s of Dade. No Republicans registered in the district. He picked up the endorsement from several of the area’s gay rights groups, too.

Richardson had never run for pubic office before now.  He was an auditor for the United States Department of Defense. His website says he will use that experience to “identify waste in the state budget, so funds can be better used to improve our schools, preserve our environment, and improve health care.”

Joe Saunders, Gay Politician, Also Headed to Tallahassee

Richardson may not be the only gay official in Tallahassee. Joe Saunders, an openly gay candidate won District 49 (Orlando, East Orange County) last night by a 30 point spread. Sixty-five percent of Democrats supported his campaign. He now faces his Republican opponent in an I-4 corridor contested region of the state.

As a Field Director for Equality Florida, Saunders was instrumental in having the Orange County Commission pass on May 22, 2012 The Domestic Partner Registry giving more benefits to same-sex couples.

Saunders started his career as Chair of University of Central Florida’s Progressive Council and President of the UCF’s LGBT Student Union. He ran younger voter registration and education campaign for the Florida League of Conservation Voters.

Another GLBT Voice Heard in Tallahassee

Ian Whitney ran unopposed for House seat in his party’s primary for District 120 (Florida Keys and a small part of Southern Miami-Dade) which was formerly held by Ron Saunders, a Democrat. He will run against Republican Saunder’s aide, Holly Raschein, in November.

Whitney has been a committeeman for the Florida Democratic party since December 2009, and serves as chairman of Florida’s 18th District Democratic Executive Committee. He also serves on the Legislative Committee of the Democratic Progressive Caucus, the state Democratic Party’s campaign committee, and is president of the Key West Innkeepers Association. His platform?  He wants to “take back Tallahassee from special interest groups,” and plans to make education, state economic development directly tied to education.

Out Gay Candidate From Brevard County Wins!: John Paul Alvarez

World History Teacher from Palm Bay won the primary House District 53 race with a 15 point margin. A Cuban immigrant, John Alvarez from Palm Bay believes in creating conditions for job growth and economic development while protecting the working class, our state’s education and health care systems, and our state -sponsored Citizen’s Insurance. Alvarez faces Republican incumbent John Tobia in November.