ICYMI: Tampa Bay Times Name Florida Democratic Party Winner of Week in Florida Politics 

In what was supposed to be Rick Scott’s “big week,” Florida Democrats win the week

While Rick Scott traveled the state in his private jet to make his “big announcement”, Scott’s self-serving tour failed to garner any real excitement or enthusiasm. And to add insult to injury, it was the Florida Democratic Party — not Rick Scott — who won the week.

Here’s why Florida Democrats won the week:

• “Palm Beach County Democrat Lori Berman won a state Senate special election with 75 percent of the vote — 13 points higher than Hillary Clinton in 2016 and better than any Democrat in a decade.”
• “U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross of Lakeland announced his retirement, giving Democrats at least an outside shot at picking off that seat.”
• “Reflecting party energy, Democrats are fielding far more candidates to challenge Republican legislators than the last off-year election.”

FDP Spokeswoman Caroline Rowland released the following statement in response to Florida Democrats winning week:

“Energy and momentum is on our side this year – and it’s being turned into action by people in every corner of this state. Our local Democratic clubs and local progressive groups are organized and building strong grassroots networks to register voters, lift up democratic candidates – doing the hard work it takes to win big in 2018.”