The Florida Democratic Party is announcing a statewide rural tour that will focus on connecting with people in smaller counties and rural areas, and having honest conversations about issues affecting their communities, in an effort to to earn their votes in November.

The tour kicked off Tuesday with a stop in LaBelle, with FDP Chair Terrie Rizzo who hosted candidates and voters from Glades and Hendry County to talk about Democratic policies, grassroots organizing and how we rebuild rural communities after 20 years of Republican rule has left them with fewer jobs, fewer opportunities and crumbling public health and education systems.

“People in every corner of Florida have been harmed by the decisions of Florida’s GOP,” said FDP Chair Terrie Rizzo, “People in rural communities have lost jobs and as a result are foregoing health care because they cannot afford it, they are working two and three minimum wage jobs, because good paying jobs have left their communities by the thousands and families are suffering the consequences of twenty years of Republican rule in Florida. Quality healthcare, public education and good paying jobs are issues that the Democratic Party is fighting for and that Republicans have ignored.”

This rural tour is a part of FDP’s new effort to ensure the Democratic Party is reaching voters across the state, and lifting up candidates in rural areas that are seeing Democratic candidates for the first time in decades. It represents a significant effort by FDP to mobilize voters who have been let down by nearly 20 years of failed Republican policies that have adversely affected the economies of Florida’s small counties.

“Rural communities like mine are hurting, from struggling to afford healthcare to a lack of economic opportunity, and that’s why I’m running for office,” said State Senate Candidate Catherine Price, who participated in Tuesday’s event, “We are giving our community an alternative and showing them we share the same values and want the same things for our community.”

Tuesday’s kick-off featured four local candidates from the area: Catherine Price, Florida Senate District 26, Annisa Karim, State Senate 28, Audrey Ascitto, Florida House District 55, Jennifer Broddicker, Florida House District 80.

The rural tour begins with a stop in LaBelle Florida, and will include stops in Putnam, Bay, Okaloosa, Walton County, Washington, Franklin, Jackson, Wakulla and Citrus Counties, among others in the coming months.

“From Escambia to Madison, to Hendry and Glades counties, the Florida Democratic Party is committed to reaching out to all voters,” said FDP Chair Rizzo, “We are confident that when voters hear about our candidates, they will be as excited as we are for November.”