Local sources in Broward County connected to multiple House members have indicated to TFS that several House Democrats have lost confidence in Minority Leader Perry Thurston. The concerns expressed by the House members include the failure to recruit candidates in several marginal House seats that have now been deemed as top priorities by the incoming leadership team as well as the inability to keep the caucus unified on critical issues during the session.

Another critique is that the Leader picked the wrong issues to take caucus positions on. But given the level of disloyalty demonstrated by Democrats throughout the past several sessions on fundamental progressive matters, I personally find no quarrel with taking aggressive caucus positions in contrast to the Republican leadership and Governor but from what we have learned in the past several days, many members have an issue with this.

The Democratic Leader is also being criticized internally for not understanding the rules related to passage of the manufacturing tax credit and adhering to the belief 80 votes was needed for passage. While various interpretations of the rules governing tax bills were bandied about in the dying days of session ultimately several caucus members believe Thurston, an accomplished attorney himself made a critical error on this matter.

Thurston himself is a progressive that this website has supported and continues to support for his strong views on important issues. But criticisms of his leadership style which are nothing new continue to intensify and might reach a boiling point when the caucus meets this weekend for the Jefferson-Jackson dinner.

One source indicated (but we could not get further verification) that Rep. Joe Gibbons of Hallandale who is in his final term in the House could be suggested as a replacement. Gibbons voting record is to the right of Thurston and he is also a likely candidate for Broward County Commissioner next year. Again the potential of Gibbons being put forward as leader was NOT corroborated by a second source, so it can be classified as a rumor.

The Democratic Caucus designated Darryl Rouson of St Petersburg as its next leader in February by a 22-20 vote over Jacksonville’s Mia Jones. Rouson has recently suffered a spate of bad press for not paying his taxes over three years; however our sources indicate rumors that Rouson would be ousted due to this are overblown largely due to his effective fundraising for other House members and potential House candidates.

With both Thurston and Rouson enjoying less than unified support, the House Democratic Caucus will be worth watching in the coming weeks and months.

Ultimately, it would be problematic but not impossible for the Democrats to shift leadership at this point in time