Miami-Dade County’s demographics are shifting rapidly — in favor of the Democrats. Since 2008, the swings have become more pronounced as areas that were long untouchable in legislative elections have very quickly become winnable for Dems. One such district is House 114 where incumbent Erik Fresen, the poster child for the school “choice” movement in the state of Florida, faces two Democratic challengers. Both Ross Hancock and Daisy Baez would be major improvements in Tallahassee over Fresen, but Hancock stands out as the better choice.
For a party whose sole ideology sometimes seems to be “We are not the other guys,” Hancock will be a different type of legislator, someone who places thoughtful progressive policy ideas and issue positions over partisan rhetoric and party-oriented political games. Hancock believes in framing issues in a direct fashion and has staked out strong positions in favor of protecting the Everglades and south Florida’s water supply, against an expansion of gambling, and in advocating for what he calls a “progressive fiscal responsibility.”
Hancock came within a sliver of defeating Fresen in 2012, losing 51-49 to in a race where he was massively outspent. He was an OFA Neighborhood Team Leader in Coral Gables who filed to run against Fresen as qualifying approached and several other local activists advised him to not leave the Republican incumbent unopposed. The state and local parties took no interest in targeting the seat despite a clear trend line in the area that was favoring the Democrats. In fact, House Victory circulated a memo around this time regarding Miami-Dade House seats which referred to HD 114 as a safe GOP seat and demonstrated no awareness of the Hancock campaign. Hancock adapted his OFA canvassing skills to launch a low-cost door-to-door campaign with a voter file on an iPad. He collected petitions and targeted NPA voters on their doorsteps. Hancock defined himself as an environmental candidate and was well-received by Dem and independent homeowners in this bay-front, environmentally conscious district.
Hancock has continued working with coalitions in environmental, progressive, senior, and LGBT organizations as well as local municipal candidates. His success in nearly ousting Fresen finally convinced Democratic leaders to target the seat.
In late 2013, Daisy Baez filed as a Democratic candidate in this district. We have no doubt she would be a better member of the House than Fresen, but when Hancock filed last month, he became the preferred choice from where we sit.
Baez raised about $50k in first reporting period but in subsequent months her fundraising has been tepid, and she has spent about every dime she has taken in since that first period.
Hancock’s strengths are a positive, unambiguous progressive message, a high degree of name recognition, and the kind of credibility that only comes with years of demonstrating communal concern and local action — it can’t be imported from Tallahassee. Baez is thought to have a fundraising advantage, but Hancock plans to match Baez dollar for dollar and judging by the earnest passion of both the candidate and his supporters, we believe he will.
In State House District 114, The Florida Squeeze recommends ROSS HANCOCK.
The Florida Squeeze 
How refreshing. Two good Democratic candidates. Time to get out the Democratic vote.
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The party, our consultants and Leader Thurston and Leader designee Pafford have already put lots of time and energy into the Baez candidacy.
While your sentiments in favor of Mr. Hancock are appreciated, we don’t need a primary here. We need to save money for taking on Fresen.
Primaries are fine in safe seats when the members aren’t loyal to the party or someone better can run. But this primary is unwanted and unneeded in a GOP held seat.
Mr. Hancock may in fact be a better candidate. But Ms. Baez stepped forward and has been running for a year. The decision of the candidate you’ve endorsed to jump into the race at a late stage is not helpful.
Knowing a little bit about this race had Mr. Hancock chosen to run a year ago no one else would’ve run against him and he would’ve had a clear shot in the general. But instead going this route has made things messy and could cost us the seat.
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We appreciate your reaching out.
Ultimately if the party is to go where we all want it to, there will be more than one good D candidate per race in seats all over the state, especially in Miami-Dade. We shouldn’t be afraid of this sign of strength and abundance.
Ms. Baez seems like a qualified candidate and we understand that the party has expended resources on her campaign but by the same token, Ross has already knocked on thousands of doors and met voters at dozens of events, and he is owed some deference as well. Let’s let the process play out.
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So let me get this right…primaries are okay for sitting legislators but a problem otherwise? What is your view of the Gubernatorial primary? Just wondering…
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You don’t seem to get it. The point is we don’t need primaries in marginal seats and we certainly don’t need a primary the governor’s race. Charlie Crist will be elected unless we screw it up. Those of us who know know that Nan Rich is being run by Republican interests at this point trying to prop her up. She is essentially running in alliance with Rick Scott.
As for the races where I think primaries are necessary it is when we have Democratic members which we have a lot of and you know this they don’t vote with the party on issues on the floor of the House and Senate. These members have become comfortable sitting in safe seats and since Democrats won’t lose those seats, primaries are not only acceptable but perhaps necessary.
Did you ever notice how Michelle Rehwinkel Vaselinda’s voting record changed after Rick Minor primaried her? I know Kartik you know Rick well so I don’t really have to tell you the story do I?
We essentially flipped the seat just by scaring the life of god into her in the primary.
As for the governor’s race I really believe it is important that all the progressive activist throughout the state that are supporting Rich take a deep breath and realize that all she’s doing is helping Rick Scott at this point. She needs to get out of the race. Charlie Crist is our candidate. He can win this election. In fact he will win this election if we don’t mess it up.
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Dems in 14. Obviously you are a well-connected party insider who is trying to manipulate facts. A few points here.
Those of us who know know that Nan Rich is being run by Republican interests at this point trying to prop her up. She is essentially running in alliance with Rick Scott.
Please provide evidence of this. These are heady accusations and we don’t allow this sort of personal vitriol on this site unless it is with justification. Please provide the justification.
These members have become comfortable sitting in safe seats and since Democrats won’t lose those seats, primaries are not only acceptable but perhaps necessary.
In some rare cases yes. When we have members like Gary Siplin that have become a disgrace locally and easily used by the Republicans in Tallahassee. In most cases no. I do not see a single case right now for a primary for any Democrat in either chamber. Let those members that are currently sitting focus on building the party.
Did you ever notice how Michelle Rehwinkel Vaselinda’s voting record changed after Rick Minor primaried her? I know Kartik you know Rick well so I don’t really have to tell you the story do I?
MRV won by a handful of votes in 2008. If Obama isn’t running as strong as he is, she loses that seat. It flips and then the GOP have a redistricting in 2012 to sure up that seat, probably throwing every liberal voter in Tallahassee into Alan Williams seat making it an uber-Democratic seat while making the Boulware seat safer for future Republicans.
I like Rick and like him felt MRV’s record in the 2009 and 2010 sessions wasn’t reflective of the districts views. HOWEVER, considering she had barely won and needed a national wave to win, I didn’t think the primary was a good idea honestly. As for it changing her record, those theories are nice. She was never that conservative to begin with but voted more conservatively the first two years because she had BARELY beat a Republican in the general. Let’s not conveniently forget that fact. When 2010 came and went and she was clearly safe, he record returned to the natural place it would be.
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Kartik do you have a view on former House members who lose Senate races coming back and running in a primary for State House against the sitting member? What is your opinion of this? Given your above logic I assume you strongly condemned Kevin Rader’s actions in 2012? I am sure you editorialized about this given your above logic though I am head pressed to find an article. It must simply not be on the search engines.
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Thank you for asking. The specific circumstance you refer to was unique. Reapportionment changed the lines of the Senate seat where former Rep. Rader was actively running and the House seat that was represented by Rep. Perman was altered dramatically and become compact and a local race. The district had previously gone all the way to Fort Pierce. The areas in St Lucie and Martin County were removed from the district. It was important for the district to have a resident member.
It was a redistricting year. I did not take a position in the primary. I have always supported Rep. Rader in his races for various offices, but this is one I sat out of. Still I would be lying if I said I wasn’t delighted he returned to the legislature.
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Is that the reason TFS in endorsing him? Don’t forget he ran when President Obama was running for reelection and the democratic vote was on a high note!
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That is a fair point. We saw that all over the state. However our writers felt he is a better candidate this go round. Tough call, because we have high hopes for Baez as well.
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Sorry, guys. You called this WAY wrong.
Daisy Baez has been a leader in this community for years. She is a highly decorated veteran. With a masters in counseling education, she has an invaluable knowledge of the medical community and founded the Dominican-American Health Care Association.
A single mother, she still found time to give back by serving on the Board of the Merrick House Museum and the Barry University Advisory Committee. For a full list of Daisy’s qualifications and awards, visit: http://www.baez2014.com/About.html
As for fundraising, Daisy’s campaign has more than $50,000 on hand right now. She has absolutely NOT “spent about every dime she has taken in.” Meanwhile, Mr. Hancock raised less than $10,000 total in 2012.
Democrats have long put a priority on embracing everyone in our Big Tent. Daisy will be the first Dominican-American in the Florida Legislature, plus she improves the balance of women elected officials (now around 25%). PLUS, Daisy Baez will be an ethical, talented, and energetic State Representative. She deserves everyone’s support.
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I like Hancock. Generally a liberal but very independent. His economic views might actually buck the party a bit.
Baes is a leadership run candidate. Maybe she is better at fund raising. Maybe they can run in different seats? Also we need Hispanic women running, but I know gables and having an Anglo guy doesn’t hurt there as much.
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Disagree on this pick. Hancock was a weak candidate in 12. A different candidate would have won it. It will take a Hispanic Dem to bring this seat back into the fold. 1982 was the last time this area (then-Dist. 112) elected a Dem State Rep (John Cosgrove very narrowly over Armando Bucelo). After that a string of GOPers – Arnhilda (who did switch parties late in her tenure), Carlos Valdes, Marco Rubio & then Fresen. You may not realize that Hancock lost another race last year – for Coral Gables City Commissioner – a third loss & he’ll become a perennial candidate. Hancock may be a nice guy and good on the issues, but it is an electability factor. It’s ashame Frank Morra didn’t win this seat against Fresen back in 08. He was highly qualified having served as a Legislative Aide to Sens. Roberta Fox & Ken Jenne, as well as State Reps. Susan Guber, John Cosgrove, Larcenia & Ed Bullard, plus Metro Commissioner Katy Sorensen. I don’t know much about Baez, but she does appear to be promising (maybe the next Jose Javier Rodriguez). That is my take on this race.
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Mark, thanks for recognizing a true Democrat, Frank Morra, who chose not to run this year but is at this very moment in the field canvassing for the Ross Hancock campaign because he knows we must and will defeat Fresen.
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THUMBS WAY DOWN! Daisy is the best candidate for this district and has a real chance of taking out the horrible Fresen. I look forward to voting and supporting Daisy in every way possible!
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So Gary Siplin is the only example where you would advocate such a primary?
Are you so naïve to really believe that Nan Rich is not working with the Republicans?
Republicans want nothing more than than the stop Charlie Crist. He is a major threat to everything they stand for. Do you really think a 73-year-old retired state legislator would have this much traction among activist and this much push behind her if she weren’t being propped up by Republicans? Why don’t you use your brain for a change? We all know you have one. You are one smart guy but you say some really stupid things sometimes. I think you should be asking the Nan Rich campaign for proof that she is not working with the Republicans not asking me for proof that she is.
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I don’t think we have anything more to discuss after this comment.
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I should be surprised that you chose to endorse without first meeting Daisy – that would be the ethical and fair thing to do, but reading the reasons why you endorsed, I can understand why. You are using made up information and untruths to validate your poor choice.
First, Ross was asked last year by several activists who previously worked on his campaign if he was running, and he said no – so I guess he went back on his word.
Second, Daisy is not a “party candidate”, she chose to run on her own, and has raised all her money from personal contacts – those who respect her and she has worked with and helped for many years. And the Party has not contributed a penny to her race, yet, but I’m sure they will because she has earned it, by campaigning and fundraising hard while working full time, and for being truthful.
Third, she has raised over $88K and has not spent “every penny” as you wrongly state. You call that tepid?!!!! Then what do you call Ross’ $10K…in a presidential election year????
This biased endorsement, as well as Ross’ eleventh hour candidacy, are both a huge mistake. Daisy is a true and strong Democrat Hispanic woman, with stellar credentials and character, running in a district that is 65%+ Latino, and who has earned the respect and support of the community.
Daisy will win the primary as well as the general election, no thanks to you and your candidate friend.
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Oh, and another minor correction I would like to make:
Daisy filed her candidacy July 15, 2013, not “late last year”. To help with your research I’m including a link to her State of Florida Candidates and Races page http://election.dos.state.fl.us/candidate/CanDetail.asp?account=60535 and campaign website http://www.baez2014.com.
Go Daisy!!!!
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This primary won’t be about who filed first or who has the right ethnicity or even the most money. It’s about a bold and urgent imperative to save the state from environmental decay leading, ultimately, to economic collapse. This message is too strong for the party elite to be associated with, and that in itself will prove to be one of its strengths.
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Mr. Krishnaiyer, I thought TSF has a policy of “not allowing personal vitriol on this site”. Why do you allow this trash to be posted? It is disgusting.
I respectfully request that you please remove this post and block the author from posting further unfounded nasty attacks. Or is it ok because you endorsed her opponent?
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Thanks for bringing it to my attention. It’s been deleted now.
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Thank you.
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I join in condemning the attack on the candidate.
Ross
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Thank you, Ross.
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