Jessica Ehrlich Suspends Campaign

Jessica Ehrlich has suspended her campaign. The Ehrlich campaign sent out this press release.

"This morning I am officially announcing that I am suspending my campaign for Congress. I want to thank my amazing staff, donors, and volunteers for everything they have done for our campaign. In particular, I would like to thank the hardworking men and women of the labor movement who have supported my fight for Florida's middle class families. I also want to thank the voters of Florida's 13th Congressional district for their continued support. While this is not the result I was hoping for, I remain committed to helping the families of Pinellas County, this state, and this country."

"I want to personally thank Jessica for her hard work on behalf of our state and our Party," said Florida Democratic Party Chair Allison Tant. "She has run an incredible campaign that offered voters a positive vision for Florida's 13th Congressional district. Jessica is a dedicated fighter for Florida's working families and I look forward to working along side her going forward."

The last paragraph is important. Ehrlich has decided to gracefully leave the race and not challenge Alex Sink in a primary. Tant's quote about working with Ehrlich means the Florida Democratic establishment will likely back her in a future race. Ehrlich played this well. This is must better than Doug Tudor attacking the DCCC in email blasts. The Democratic establishment wouldn't back Tudor if he ran for Polk County dog catcher.

The term suspending a campaign is really meaningless. Ehrlich can still fundraise for this cycle and probably needs to to pay off bills the campaign owes.

Alex Sink Running For Congress

It appears I am going to have to eat my words. I had serious doubts that Alex Sink would run for the seat of the late Bill Young. Sink told the Tampa Bay Times she is officially running.

"Washington's broken. And I, like everybody else I know, is angry and mad about the logjam, about shutting down the government, about not understanding the impact it was going to have on small businesses and people. The people up there just don't seem to be able to work together," said Sink, who had considered running for governor again but ruled that out in late September.

"I'm somebody who's solved problems, has a long history of working with Republicans and Democrats to get things done," said Sink, who used to run Bank of America's Florida operations and was the state's CFO from 2007-11. "I believe I can be an effective advocate for the people of Pinellas County and get to Washington and make a difference."

Saying "Washington is broken" is the most unoriginal thing a politician running for Congress can say. Would you actively campaign for a job at Wal-Mart or some other company you feel is broken? Sink needs to be more creative with her talking points. I wonder how progressive activists will feel about Sink's Bank of America background. These activists relate more to Occupy Wallstreet than Lawrence Summers.

Sink plans on moving to Pinellas County. Sink currently lives in Thonotosassa. U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, chairma of the National Republican Congressional Committee, is accusing Sink of being a carpetbagger. Moving across the Bay is hardly carpetbagging.

It appears that the Florida Democratic establishment will discard Jessica Ehrlich for Sink. TBT political reporter Adam Smith asks is it sexist for the Democratic establishment to only allow one woman to run in the primary. The answer is hell yes.

Sink worked in the banking industry. Ehrlich worked at Goldman Sachs.Welcome to the 1percent primary. Democrats need the seat in order to win the House. Progressives should be under no illusion that either of these women are the next Elizabeth Warren.

WMNF Interview With Ayele Hunt

Ayele Hunt is the organizer of I Am Choice. The rally in St. Petersburg encourages people to vote. Local Democrats Kathy Castor, Rick Kriseman and Jessica Ehrlich will speak at the event. The highlight of the rally is feminist icon Gloria Steinem making an appearance.

Hunt organized I Am Choice to make citizens aware of Amendment 6 of Florida ballots. This blog has urged voters to vote no on Amendment 6. If it becomes law, Amendment 6 would put more needless restrictions on women seeking an abortion. Hunt pointed out, in her WMNF interview, that Florida operates under the Hyde Amendment. Federal money for abortions is only in the cases of rape, incest or the women's life is in danger due to the pregnancy.

Information on I Am Choice rally.

GOTV Rally When: October 20 Where: Jannus Live, St. Petersburg Time: Doors open at 11:30 AM

GOTV Vote Rally at Jannus Live

Gloriia Steinem will headline the GOTV Rally at Jannus Live, in St. Petersburg. Rep Kathy Castor, State Rep. Rick Kriseman and congressional candidate Jessica Ehrlich will also speak against the rally.

Steinem is at the rally to urge voters to vote no on Amendment 6.

This proposed amendment provides that public funds may not be expended for any abortion or for health-benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion. This provision does not apply to an expenditure required by federal law, a case in which a woman suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness that would place her in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, or a case of rape or incest. This proposed amendment provides that the State Constitution may not be interpreted to create broader rights to an abortion than those in the United States Constitution. With respect to abortion, this proposed amendment overrules court decisions which conclude that the right of privacy under Article I, Section 23 of the State Constitution is broader in scope than that of the United States Constitution.

Never mind previous legal decisions on a woman's right to privacy. Let's make an amendment that turns back the clock on the reproductive rights of women in Florida.

Please vote no on Amendment 6.

GOTV Rally

When: October 20

Where: Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Time: Doors open at 11:30 AM

More Jessica Ehrlich Endorsements

Democratic congressional candidate Jessica Ehrlich has secured the endorsements of AFL-CIO, AFSCME, SEIU and the Teamsters. Incumbant Bill Young made his infamous "get a job" comment, after he was asked if he supports raising the minimun wage. It is easy to see why unions have flocked to Ehrlich.

Ehrlich on the endorsements.

“I’m humbled to have the support of the AFL-CIO, AFSCME, SEIU and the Teamsters. Across America, working families are under attack. Bill Young continues to focus on ways to further burden the middle. Young thinks we can’t afford to invest in our future and the middle class, I think we can’t afford not to. In congress, I will represent every hardworking man, woman, and family in Pinellas County. It’s time we had a representative in Washington who will fight to expand the middle class, not let it get squeezed out.”

Jessica Ehrlich Raises $100,000

Jessica Ehrlich had a fantastic first month in fundraising.

ST PETERSBURG, FL - Jessica Ehrlich, candidate for Florida’s new 13th Congressional District, today announced that she raised more than $100,000 in the first month of her campaign. Ehrlich, a Saint Petersburg native and attorney, announced her campaign for Congress on February 27th. In the first month of her campaign, she was also placed “On the List” by EMILY’s List and endorsed by the New Democrat Coalition.

Commenting on her success, Jessica Ehrlich said, “I am overwhelmed and energized by the outpouring of support from Floridians who are desperate for a Representative determined to end the gridlock and infighting that have prevented Congress from achieving real progress on critical issues like strengthening the middle class, our economy, and protecting Social Security and Medicare. Pinellas County deserves news ideas and fresh thinking committed to building a brighter future for our residents. In Congress, I will always be an advocate for our hardworking families and seniors.”

Ehrlich is competing against Nina Hayden for the Democratic nomination for the 13th congressional district. The winner will face Republican incumbent dinosaur Bill Young. If you like oork barrel legislation than support Young. If not then support Ehrlich or Hayden.

Jessica Ehrlich Makes Emily's List

Jessica Ehrlich is a Democrat running in Florida's 13th congressional district. Her Republican opponent will be GOP establishment veteran and pork champion Bill Young. Ehrlich has been endorsed by Emily's List.

“Jessica is running a strong campaign to be a leader the people of Florida can count on in Congress,” said Stephanie Schriock, President of EMILY’s List. “A dedicated advocate for job creation, working families, and seniors, Jessica is ready to make sure Washington starts working for the women and families of Florida. A St. Petersburg native, she has the support and experience to win in what is sure to be a hard-fought race against a 21-term Republican incumbent. Jessica is helping lead the charge to take back the House in 2012 and the EMILY’s List community is thrilled to put her ‘On the List’ today.”

Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, Jessica Ehrlich attended Vanderbilt University and Southern Methodist University law school. She clerked for the Mid-Florida Federal Court Chief in 2003. Ehrlich went on to serve as a legislative aide in Washington where she gained valuable experience working with the House Financial Services Committee. A dedicated member of the St. Petersburg community, Erhlich’s top priority is ending the gridlock in Washington in order to create jobs and to help working families and seniors.

I don't see any links to policy positions on Ehrlich's website. Being against Bill Young is not enough. Ehrlich has to articulate what is is for to the voters. Ehrlich worked on congressional committees in Congress. Surely is has ideas on policy. If she doesn't define herself than she will suffer the same fate as Charlie Justice.

Benjamin Kirby is publicly backing Nina Hayden for the 13th district. Erhlich’s Emily's List endorsement has blown Hayden out of the water. Erhlich is the Democratic establishment candidate.

Erhlich's campaign needs to use social media better. Erhlich's Twitter feed only has seven tweets.