Uncategorized

Dolphin Democrats Announce Final Three Rounds of Endorsement Meetings for the 2026 General Election

The Dolphin Democrats will conduct three additional rounds of endorsements for candidates running in municipal elections throughout Broward County.

Endorsement questionnaires will be emailed to all candidates who are registered Democrats and are running for one of the offices being considered. Candidates may also request an endorsement questionnaire by emailing [email protected].

To receive the Dolphin Democrats endorsement, a candidate must receive at least two-thirds (2/3) of all votes cast by eligible members present at the endorsement meeting.

When a race includes more than two candidates and no candidate receives the required two-thirds majority on the first ballot, a runoff vote will be conducted between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes.

Round 4: Wednesday, August 12, 2026

The Dolphin Democrats will consider endorsements in the following races:

Dania Beach Commission, At-Large
Hollywood Commission, Districts 1 & 5
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Commission, Seat 2
Sunrise Commission, Seats C & D
Tamarac Commission, Districts 2 & 4
West Park Commission, Seats 1 & 2
Candidate Questionnaire Deadline

Candidates running for the offices listed in Round 4 must submit their completed questionnaires no later than Friday, July 31, 2026.

Member Voting Eligibility

Only qualified voting members may participate in this endorsement round. To be eligible, members must have joined or renewed their Dolphin Democrats membership on or before Monday, July 13, 2026.

Round 5: Wednesday, September 9, 2026

The Dolphin Democrats will consider endorsements in the following races:

Coral Springs Mayor, At-Large
Coral Springs Commission, Seats 3 & 4
Fort Lauderdale Commission, District 1
Margate Commission, Seats 3 & 5
North Lauderdale Mayor, At-Large
Oakland Park Commission, At-Large
Pompano Beach Commission, Districts 4 & 5
Candidate Questionnaire Deadline

Candidates running for the offices listed in Round 5 must submit their completed questionnaires no later than Sunday, August 2, 2026.

Member Voting Eligibility

Only qualified voting members may participate in this endorsement round. To be eligible, members must have joined or renewed their Dolphin Democrats membership on or before Monday, August 10, 2026.

Round 6: Wednesday, September 23, 2026

The Dolphin Democrats will consider endorsements in the following races:

Davie Mayor, At-Large
Davie Council, Districts 1, 3 & 4
Lauderhill Mayor, Seat 5
Lauderhill Commission, Seat 4
Plantation Mayor, At-Large
Plantation Council, Group 4
Wilton Manors Mayor, At-Large
Wilton Manors Commission, At-Large
Candidate Questionnaire Deadline

Candidates running for the offices listed in Round 6 must submit their completed questionnaires no later than Sunday, August 2, 2026.

Member Voting Eligibility

Only qualified voting members may participate in this endorsement round. To be eligible, members must have joined or renewed their Dolphin Democrats membership on or before Monday, August 24, 2026.

Candidates with questions about the endorsement process or who need to request a questionnaire should contact [email protected].

We ask our members and supporters to help us spread the word by sharing this information with any candidates running in the races included in these three endorsement rounds. We also strongly encourage all eligible Dolphin Democrats members to attend and participate in these important endorsement meetings. Your voice and your vote help determine which candidates will earn the support of our organization.

You’re invited to join us for our Democratic Party Picnic, a chance to connect, relax, and spend time with fellow Democrats from across Broward County.

Saturday, May 2, 2026
10:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Royal Palm Park, Oakland Park

Enjoy a casual outdoor gathering with burgers, hot dogs, and great conversation, along with remarks from candidates and elected officials.

This is a great opportunity to build relationships and stay engaged as we head into Election 2026.

 RSVP here: LINK

Please RSVP in advance so we can plan accordingly.

Sponsors/Speakers:
Presenting Sponsor: Dale Holness for U.S. Congress
Sponsors:

• David Jolly for Florida Governor
• Marty Kiar, Broward County Property Appraiser
• Abbey Ajayi, Broward County Tax Collector
• Ben Sorensen, Fort Lauderdale Vice-Mayor
• Michael Ferguson, for State House District 100
• Michael Friend, for State House District 102

For sponsorship and speaking opportunities, contact: [email protected] before Friday, May 1st. 

Participating Organizations: 

• Dolphin Democrats
• Broward Democratic Senior Caucus
• Century Village of Pembroke Pines Democratic Club
• Coconut Creek-Margate Democratic Club
• Coral Springs-Parkland Democratic Club
• Davie Cooper City Democratic Club
• Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Broward
• East Side Dems
• Haitian American Democratic Club (HADC) of Broward
• Hills Democratic Club
• Hope & Action Indivisible
• Miramar Democratic Club
• Pembroke Pines Democratic Club
• Plantation Democratic Club
• The Weston Democratic Club
• West Broward Democratic Club

We hope to see you there.

Path To Victory: Election 2026

Dolphin Dems Townhall with David Jolly for Governor

Join Us for a conversation with Gubernatorial candidate David Jolly

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Doors Open: 6:00pm

Event Starts: 6:30pm

The Pride Center – Wilton Manors

Click HERE to RSVP (Required for admission)

We look forward to seeing you there

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and LGBTQ+ History Month

Let’s celebrate two powerful legacies that define who we are, Hispanic Heritage Month and LGBTQ+ History Month. Two movements born from struggle, sustained by courage, and carried forward by people who refused to be invisible.

For more than forty years, the Dolphin Democrats have been Broward County’s home for progressive values, LGBTQ+ visibility, and Democratic leadership.
Our mission remains clear: to Educate, Advocate, Support, and Elect.
As we honor these months of heritage and history, we also recommit ourselves to that mission.

Honoring Our Hispanic & Latino Trailblazers

We begin by remembering the trailblazers of Hispanic and Latino heritage who paved the way, not just for representation, but for revolution.

Sylvia Rivera, a proud Puerto Rican-Venezuelan trans woman, stood alongside Marsha P. Johnson during the Stonewall Riots that sparked the modern LGBTQ rights movement. Sylvia didn’t ask for permission to exist, she demanded recognition for trans people, for people of color, for the poor, for everyone left out of the promise of equality.

José Julio Sarria, the son of Colombian parents and a World War II veteran, became the first openly gay person to run for public office in the United States in 1961. His campaign slogan said it all: “Equality before the law.” Though he didn’t win, he showed us that we could lead, serve, and run proudly as who we are.

Across Latin America, activists like Gloria Careaga Pérez, who co-founded the first LGBTQ studies program at Mexico’s National University, and Pedro Julio Serrano, the Puerto Rican advocate for equality and HIV awareness, remind us that our identities are not obstacles — they are our strength.

Florida Leaders Who Inspire Us

Here in Florida, that strength runs deep.

Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith, the first openly gay Latino elected to the Florida Legislature, has been a fearless voice for equality, justice, and inclusion. When extremists tried to silence our stories, he stood on the House floor and declared, “You can try to silence us, but you will never silence our pride.”

Nadine Smith, co-founder of Equality Florida, turned advocacy into action — protecting our community from hate and building coalitions of hope.

Senator Shevrin Jones, Florida’s first openly gay Black state senator, continues to lead with compassion and authenticity, redefining representation in Tallahassee.

Right here in Broward County, we celebrate two more local trailblazers:

Ken Keechl, the first openly gay man elected to the Broward County Commission and later Mayor of Broward County, proved that integrity and courage can open doors once closed to LGBTQ people.

Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, the city’s first openly gay commissioner and now one of the most visible LGBTQ mayors in America, has made Fort Lauderdale a model for inclusion,  a city that stands proudly for equality, diversity, and love.

And we honor the legacy of Mayor Justin Flippen, our beloved “Mayor of Progress.”
Justin led Wilton Manors with kindness, conviction, and heart reminding us that authenticity and leadership are one and the same.

From Stonewall to South Florida and Beyond

When we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and LGBTQ+ History Month together, we’re not telling two separate stories, we’re telling one story of resilience.

Both movements rose against oppression, demanded visibility, and turned pain into power.

From Harvey Milk, who taught us that coming out is a political act, to Tammy Baldwin, the first openly gay U.S. senator, and Pete Buttigieg, who proved that LGBTQ Americans can run for president and serve with pride, our progress has always come from ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Today, we honor a new generation of national leaders who continue that legacy:

Andrea Jenkins, the first Black transgender woman elected to public office in the United States, whose voice on the Minneapolis City Council has brought truth and dignity to the national stage.

Sharice Davids, one of the first Native American women and one of the first openly lesbian members of Congress, who proves that representation can change hearts and policies.

Deb Haaland, the first Native American Cabinet member in U.S. history, who demonstrates that inclusion makes our democracy stronger.

And here in Broward County, the Dolphin Democrats continue to carry that torch forward registering voters, recruiting candidates, educating our neighbors, and mobilizing our community.
Because democracy doesn’t move forward by accident. It moves forward when we do.

A Call to Action

As we honor these heroes — from Sylvia Rivera to Carlos Guillermo Smith, from Ken Keechl to Dean Trantalis, from Andrea Jenkins to Sharice Davids and Deb Haaland, from Harvey Milk to Justin Flippen — let’s do more than celebrate.

Let’s commit.

Commit to growing this movement.
Commit to registering new voters, because every voter we register is a voice for equality. Commit to mentoring young leaders,  because the next Justin Flippen is out there, waiting for their chance to lead. And commit to electing Democrats who see us, fight for us, and stand beside us, because representation without action is just symbolism.

Our heritage is not only what we inherit, it’s what we build. Our history is not just what we remember, it’s what we write together.

As Dolphin Democrats, we are the authors of that next chapter. Let’s write it with pride, with courage, and with unity. Latino and LGBTQ, immigrant and ally, all bound by the belief that justice is for everyone.

¡Adelante, Dolphins! Forward together with pride and purpose.

Alfredo Olvera

President

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month 🌎🏳️‍🌈

From September 15 to October 15, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of people whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

This month reminds us that Hispanic and Latino communities have shaped every part of American life, from politics and science to art, music, and food. But it also reminds us of the powerful role LGBTQ+ Hispanic leaders have played in the fight for equality and justice.

Honoring LGBTQ+ Trailblazers
Sylvia Rivera: Puerto Rican and Venezuelan trans activist who helped spark the Stonewall Riots and fought for queer youth.
Gloria Anzaldúa:  Chicana writer who redefined how we understand identity, queerness, and culture.
Pedro Zamora: Cuban American AIDS activist who educated millions during the height of the HIV epidemic.
Ricky Martin: Puerto Rican superstar and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and children’s welfare.

Why It Matters
Hispanic Heritage Month is not just about remembering the past. It’s about celebrating the living, breathing contributions of queer and trans Latinos today, voices that continue to inspire, challenge, and lead the way toward a more inclusive future.

As we honor Hispanic Heritage Month, we also celebrate the intersection of culture and pride, reminding us that our diversity is our strength.

✨ Together, we continue the work of those who came before us and carry their fight for equality into the future.

Mark your calendar for our July Membership Meeting on Wednesday, July 9th at The Pride Center!

📍 Location: 2040 N. Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL 33305
🕡 Check-In: 6:30 PM
🕖 Meeting Starts: 7:00 PM

We’re honored to welcome Debbi Hixon, Chair of the Broward County School Board, as our guest speaker.

Agenda Highlights:

• 🗣️ Guest Speaker: Debbi Hixon

• 📚 2025 Bylaws Review

• 🎒 School Supplies Drive

• 📆 Upcoming Events

• 🌈 Gala Recap

• …and more!

Bring a friend, your questions, and any school supply donations you’d like to contribute. Let’s keep building power together!