BY LOUIS C. WARD
CENTRAL FLORIDA – Stanley Campbell, who said, “I am not a politician,” ran away with 65 percent of the vote for an endorsement for Florida’s U.S. Senate seat from the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida (DBCFlorida), a political organization that represents almost 2 million Black Floridians, at their special endorsement meeting Sunday evening, July 14, 2024.
Campbell, “born, raised, educated, and professionalized in Florida,” was elected over former United States Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel -Powell, who was backed by President Joe Biden and Florida’s Democratic Party.
“We are deeply honored to receive the endorsement of the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida. Life will not get easier or more forgiving in this race for the US Senate, but with this vote of confidence we get stronger and more resilient,” said a confident Stanley Campbell, who’s a Navy Pilot, astute businessman and married 35 years with three adult sons.
Humbled by being endorsed by the DBCFlorida, and committed to “work every day to make you proud and to bring success to our community.” Campbell was endorsed by the AFL-CIO and has a host of endorsements pending, said, “It is a privilege to represent all of Florida and the 1,800,000 represented by your vote will make me proud to lay claim to our collective success. We appreciate the thorough evaluation of all participants’ backgrounds, experiences, and responses during the interview process and I am humbled by your selection”
While some DBCFlorida voting members thought Powell, a one- term elected official, was the more experienced candidate, it was Campbell’s electability, military service, business acumen and knowledge of the issues like affordable health care, Medicaid expansion, artificial intelligence, and his accomplishments in holding people accountable who committed Medicaid fraud that attracted and secured DBCFlorida’s vote. A viable tactic Campbell could use against his Republican opponent Rick Scott, who’s known to have a shady past with his dealings with Medicaid.
Political pushback may be expected against the DBCFlorida for “not falling in line” with President Joe Biden and the state’s Democratic Party for not choosing Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. Presently, a chaotic issue exists in the National Democratic Party concerning elected Democrats who want to replace President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee because of his poor performance in the first debate with former President Donald Trump.
Commenting on the present disruption in the National Democratic Party, DBCFlorida President Trevor Mallory emphatically stated, “The DBCFlorida wholeheartedly supports President Joe Biden’s re-election. We will not change our horse in the middle of the race; we’re riding with President Biden. He’s our horse and he’s the Democratic nominee.”
“However, in staying true to the mission of the DBCFlorida, a Black political organization in existence since 1983, we are commissioned to elect more Black Democrats, who must be determined by vote to also be the best candidate to represent all of the people of the sunshine State of Florida,” continued President Mallory.
After a fair endorsement process, which included a video of the senatorial candidates, a questionnaire, and considerable discussion among DBCFlorida’s Executive Committee, “Stanley Campbell, a Navy pilot, with more than 40 years’ experience and 14 patents in artificial intelligence, his probability to work across the aisle with Republican Senate colleagues, his command of the issues affecting Floridians and the country like healthcare, immigration, affordable housing, education, his well thought out plans for solutions, and finally, “his electability, he has captured the support and votes of the DBCFlorida Executive Committee for his quest to become Florida’s first African American U.S. Senator,” President Mallory stated.
“Let it be understood that whoever wins the primary in August, we will support that candidate,” concluded President Mallory.
Commenting on the race, a very sanguine Campbell concluded, “We will beat Rick Scott like he stole something because he did steal something.”
