Today, former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz formally announced he is running to be Chair of the Florida Democratic Party.
“We are in a pivotal moment in Florida and now, more than ever, we need to have our eyes on the long-term work of investing in and building a strong Florida Democratic Party that reflects the strength and diversity of our party, engages with and organizes voters year-round and mobilizes them to elect Democrats up and down the ticket and in every corner of the state,” Manny Diaz said.
“As I’ve considered this run over the last several weeks, 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. I have been heartened by the feedback I’ve received and the honest commitment to doing the hard work ahead. Together, we will rebuild a robust and sustainable Florida Democratic Party, precinct by precinct, where no voter is taken for granted. I look forward to continuing the conversations and discussions with elected officials, party leaders, and community organizers to earn their support for my candidacy.”
As campaign manager, Mayor Diaz’s campaign for FDP Chair will be led by Marcus Dixon, a Florida native who is currently the Executive Director of SEIU Florida, one of the state’s largest labor unions. Dixon has over ten years of experience in Florida politics. Prior to his work with SEIU, he served as policy director for Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, policy advisor to then-Miami Dade County Commission Chairman Jean Monestime, and in various roles on local, state, and federal electoral campaigns.
Rounding out the campaign team are Carlie Waibel, Jacob Smith, and Alison Berke Morano. Waibel has been tapped to lead the campaign’s communications effort. An experienced communicator, Waibel most recently served as communications director for the Biden campaign in Florida.
Smith, a Florida native, who managed Rick Kriseman’s successful 2017 mayoral campaign before leading successful statewide campaign operations in Arizona in 2018 and 2020, will head the Diaz campaign’s vote count operations. Berke Morano who most recently served as a coordinated coalition strategic advisor for the Biden campaign in Florida after serving in various leadership roles within the Florida Democratic Party, including as vice-chair and senior political advisor from 2012 to 2016, chair of the Democratic County Chairs Association and caucus administrator for the Florida Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, will serve as its party outreach lead.
The election will take place upon the call of the Chair in January of 2021.
