After Democrats fared poorly in Miami-Dade a former mayor wants top state party job

TALLAHASSEE – After a campaign in which President-elect Joe Biden joined a roster of Florida Democrats who fared poorly with Hispanic voters, a Cuban-American former Miami mayor announced Tuesday that he is running for chair of the state Democratic Party.

Manny Diaz, the city’s major from 2001 to 2009, is looking to succeed current Florida Democratic Party chair Terrie Rizzo, who hasn’t yet said whether she’ll seek another term. Rizzo, of Palm Beach County, took over in December 2017.

“I’ve had the opportunity to listen and talk with Democrats throughout Florida about the work we can do together to build a professional, grassroots infrastructure and grow our coalition to build an FDP that can earn the trust of Florida voters,” said Diaz, 66.

Biden defeated President Trump by almost 6.3 million votes nationwide. But Florida was different, clearly siding with the Republican, who tripled his victory margin from 2016 in the state.

Read more: https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/state/2020/12/01/democratic-setbacks-miami-dade-may-lead-party-change/6471158002/