Turn South Florida Blue!

If it's an election year, you can bet that both parties will be fighting hard to swing the battleground state of Florida in their direction. This election year, its clear that Floridians are tired of President Bush's failed policies and want big change. The environment is ripe for a big Democratic year and we have the top-tier candidates who can turn Florida "blue."

While there are competitive races throughout the state, much of the attention will be focused on the newly competitive South Florida region. Located on the southern tip of the state, South Florida has long been a Republican stronghold. This year, we have an outstanding opportunity to change the political landscape by taking on South Florida's entrenched Republican trio - Republicans Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-18), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL-21), and Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25). In the past, these Bush rubberstamps have been able to skate past underfunded challengers to re-election victories.

Unfortunately for them, their out-of-touch voting records are catching up with them. Now, for the first time, all three Republican incumbents will be challenged by strong Democratic challengers fighting for change.

Democratic challengers Annette Taddeo (FL-18), Raul Martinez (FL-21), and Joe Garcia (FL-25) are forcing the South Florida Republicans to answer for their support of President Bush's disastrous agenda. Each is a tested candidate with strong ties to their local communities who will fight for change in Washington.

Our Democratic Leadership in the House of Representatives has taken notice of the promising opportunity we have in South Florida and the high caliber of our Democratic challengers. Last week, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Majority Whip James Clyburn, Democratic Caucus Chair Rahm Emanuel, and DCCC Chair Chris Van Hollen wrote letters of support recognizing them for their great start to their campaigns. You can see one of the letters here [PDF].

They realize that if we band together to expose the records of Bush's South Florida rubberstamps and fight for change, we can bring South Florida the real representation in Congress it deserves.

The first quarter FEC filing deadline is fast approaching and our candidates need your support. Join the DCCC and our Democratic Leadership by supporting our South Florida candidates for change. You can pitch in at our DCCC South Florida ActBlue page to give them the momentum they need to turn Florida "blue" this November.