Like most Broward Democrat events, their Saturday morning anti-gun rally in Sunrise featured more politicians and activists than average citizens. The partisan rhetoric was very heated at times, but a few brave elected Democrats did praise Florida Republicans for passing several measures after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas massacre. While the battle cry from most speakers focused on changes in Federal law, not a single Federal officeholder from Broward attended the rally.
Former Republican and NRA darling Charlie Crist also joined the politicians in Sunrise. The attendees included State Sen Shevrin Jones, State Sen Lauren Book, State Sen Rosalind Osgood, State Rep Christine Hunchofsky, State Rep Marie Woodson, State Rep Robin Bartleman, Broward County Commissioner Jared Moskowitz, Broward School Board Member Debra Hixon and Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Ben Sorensen.
BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book (D-Plantation) today announced the Senate Victory leadership team to help defend incumbent Democratic Senators and win new seats in the 2022 cycle. The diverse team of hires includes Sierra Fareed as Finance Director, Christian Ulvert as General Consultant, Claire VanSusteren as Communications Director, and Tim Wagner as Political Director.
“I am excited to welcome our new team of Democratic operatives to Senate Victory as we lay groundwork to defend incumbent seats and win new ones,” says Leader Book, who was installed by her peers in April. “Our diverse of team will bring with them winning skill sets and battle-proven experience to effectively elect more Democrats to the Florida Senate.”
Sierra Fareed, Finance Director Sierra Fareed is a two-time graduate of Florida A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Juris Doctorate degree, which she earned while serving as an executive board member of the College Democrats and working on President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. While in law school, Sierra was elected vice-president of the Black Law Students Association. After graduating in 2016, Sierra served as a field organizer for the Florida Democratic Party working to elect Democrats up and down the ticket. During the 2018 campaign cycle, Sierra served as a finance associate for the Florida Democratic Party. She comes to us after more than a year as the Finance Director at Ruth’s List Florida.
Christian Ulvert, General Consultant Christian Ulvert is the Founder and President of EDGE Communications. He has served on and managed several successful campaigns across the state of Florida, ranging from municipal, state legislative, state’s attorney, issue advocacy, and statewide campaigns. Most recently, Christian served as the lead strategist and senior advisor for Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s historic win and senior advisor for President Joe Biden’s campaign. In addition to his work on Mayor Levine Cava’s race, Christian led and advised over a dozen successful campaigns during the 2020 election cycle, including the re-election of Miami-Dade County State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, County Commissioner Eileen Higgins, and School Board member Luisa Santos. Prior to his launch as a political and media consultant, Christian served the Florida House of Representatives Democratic Caucus as communications director and policy advisor to House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber during his two-year leadership term. Born in Miami with family roots from Nicaragua, Christian graduated from the Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Master’s in Public Administration and Policy. Today, Christian lives with his husband in Miami Shores.
Claire VanSusteren, Communications Director Claire VanSusteren is the Founder and President of CVS COMMS. An EMMY Award-winning producer and 30 Under 30 in Florida Politics alum who boasts in-house and agency experience, Claire has provided public relations, strategic communications, and advocacy consulting services to political candidates, elected officials, and organizations for the past decade. From billionaires to activists, state agencies to sitting Senators, Claire has garnered millions of dollars in earned media for a diverse array of clients while organizing and executing statewide bus tours, advocacy events, K-12 curriculum development, best-selling book launches, award-winning communications campaigns, international speaking engagements, and more. After serving as an intern for the Florida Democratic Party and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Claire began her career with Sachs Media Group in Tallahassee. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Leadership Studies Certificate from the Florida State University.
Tim Wagner, Political Director Tim Wagner, a Hoosier native, has spent the last nine years working in politics. In 2020, Wagner helped lead the Federal IE Program for the Environmental Defense Fund as Political Director. Earlier that year, Wagner was part of Mayor Bloomberg’s Florida operation as Deputy State Director. In 2019, Wagner hoisted Mayor Jane Castor to a resounding win in the Tampa Mayoral race; and in 2018 Wagner helped lead Senator Janet Cruz to her historic victory over Dana Young, which is in the top five most expensive State Legislative races in U.S. History. Beyond Florida politics, Wagner has managed two DCCC Red to Blue races in Indiana and New York, and an incumbent protection race in the Virginia House of Delegates.
The Florida Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, known as Senate Victory, serves as the political and fundraising organization acting on behalf of Florida’s Senate Democratic caucus – providing support to defend incumbent Democratic Senators and working to elect more Democrats to the Florida Senate. Leader Book’s new hires affirm her commitment to creating a diverse, inclusive organization that employs and elevates women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
STATEMENT from Florida Senator Lauren Book (D-Broward) on the passing of Congressman Alcee Hastings, who represented Broward in Congress:
“Leading a life of public service, Congressman Alcee Hastings has left his beloved state of Florida better than he found it. Congressman Hastings broke barriers as he fought to advance civil rights as the first Black Federal Judge in the State of Florida and first Black Congressperson to represent Florida since the Civil War. I am grateful for the decades of advocacy Congressman Hastings provided for Floridians and offer my sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.”
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