A troubling national trend hit Broward yesterday as Democrats failed to recognize the start of the Christian Lenten season while celebrating the beginning of the Muslim Ramadan. The Democrat National Committee posted about Ramadan and even the Chinese New Year but remained silent on Ash Wednesday, the start of the Christian Holy Season. President Donald Trump and The White House made official remarks on Ramadan and Ash Wednesday.
One published report claims just 1.3% of Americans are Muslim.
Locally, some Broward Democrats mimicked their party line.
Democrat State House District 102 candidate Michael Friend made a Ramadan post on social media. “Wishing all celebrating a generous and meaningful Ramadan,” Friend wrote. He made no such wishes to Broward Christians celebrating Ash Wednesday.
Broward School Board Seat 6 candidate Roberto Fernandez conducted Muslim outreach as well. “Sending warm wishes for a calm and meaningful month to everyone observing. May this season bring thoughtful reflection, generous hearts, deep gratitude, and special moments shared with the people you cherish most,” Fernandez wrote.
Fernandez made no wishes to his Christian supporters on Ash Wednesday.
Why do Democrats celebrate Muslim holidays while ignoring Christian holy days?
The latest campaign reports for the Florida House of Representatives District 102 race show Democrat candidate fueled by a dental political committee and a Republican candidate with strong grassroots support. District 102 covers Cooper City as well as parts of Davie, Sunrise and Plantation. The seat is currently held by Rep. Michael Gottlieb, who is term-limited.
Gottlieb was quick to endorse fellow Democrat Michael Friend when he entered the race last December. While Friend is a political newcomer, he does enjoy the support of longtime Democrat consultant Barbara Miller.
Michael Friend and Barbara Miller all smiles at recent Democrat event.
After loaning his campaign $50,000 dollars in December, contributions to Friend’s campaign have steadily declined.
In a report released this week, Friend’s campaign reported $22,462 in contributions between April 2025 and June 2025. That amount is nearly $1,500 less than the report covering January 2025 to March 2025.
The latest numbers were bolstered by numerous contributions from the Florida Dental Association Political Action Committee (PAC) of Tallahassee. Friend, a west Broward dentist, reported six contributions from the FDA PAC totaling $8,900 dollars.
On the Republican side, the newcomer to the race, Cooper City Commissioner Jason Smith showed surprising power on the grassroots level. In its first report, the Smith campaign reported nearly one-hundred contributions totaling $14, 411 dollars. While Smith did receive five contributions from firefighter-related political committees, the majority of supporters made smaller contributions to his campaign.
Cooper City Commissioner Jason Smith
Smith’s strong showing may signal trouble for his Republican opponent, Southwest Ranches attorney Mery Lopez Palma.
In November 2024, Lopez Palma ran against Gottlieb for the House 102 seat. Three months earlier, Lopez Palma was on the August ballot as a candidate for Republican Party State Committeewoman. Even though she lost both races, some GOP insiders assumed Lopez Palma would have a leg up on any challengers in a Republican primary.
Mery Lopez Palma
According to her latest report, Mery Lopez Palma enjoys no such advantage.
From April to June 2025, the Lopez Palma campaign raised just $2,557.70 from almost twenty supporters.
Lopez Palma loaned $13,021.15 to her campaign.
Between January and March, Lopez Palma raised no money and loaned her campaign $1,000 dollars.
Even more bad news for Mery Lopez Palma—Cooper City is the only city which lies within the boundaries of District 102. As the recently elected (unopposed) commissioner of Cooper City, Jason Smith should enjoy a built-in electoral advantage.
Smith told REDBROWARD, “Today’s report confirms what we already knew, that this campaign is powered by real people, not special interests. I’ve built a grassroots movement that’s growing stronger every day. I won’t let up!”
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