published: Friday, May 11, 2012

Lake Dems pick 14 state delegates

Lake Dems pick 14 state delegates

THERESA CAMPBELL | Staff Writer

theresacampbell@dailycommercial.com

Fourteen Lake County Democrats have been elected to be among 1,240 delegates to attend the Florida Democratic Party's state convention in Tampa next month.

Robert Abston, Lorraine Bowman, Jason Braswell, Leah Braswell, Julie Boze-man, Ashley Cecarrelli, George Cooke, Duncan Gar-butt, Eunice Garbutt, Alan Garcia, Francine Garcia, Michael Grant, Nancy Hurl-bert and Ralph Morris were elected by registered Demo-cratic voters on May 5 during a countywide caucus to represent Lake in Tampa on June 1-3.

At the state convention, the focus will be on assembling the largest Florida delegation to head to the 2012 Democratic National Con-vention in Charlotte in Sept-ember.

"I'm excited that Lake County is sending 14 delegates to the state, which is wonderful," said Nancy Hurlbert, who also serves as chair of the Lake Democrats, which has more than 65,000 registered Democrats.

"We have people coming from Fruitland Park, a woman from Mount Dora, several from Tavares, Eustis and Leesburg, so the entire county will be represented, which wonderful because it's how it is supposed to be," she said. "That's exciting."

Hurlbert said the 1,240 delegates at the state convention will vote amongst themselves for the final 300 delegates from Florida to represent the Sunshine State at the national convention.

"There will be lots of competition and campaigning," Hurlbert said, where the delegates will be pushing their credentials among delegates in other counties, with hopes of getting votes to be part of the national delegation.

"You want to tell why you want to go, share your passion, and show if you've been active in the state party," she said.

Hurlbert said the delegates will vote for the Florida delegation on June 2.

"We will know right then and there, on June 2, which people of the 300 will go," she said.

Of course Hurlbert hopes there will be delegates from Lake County that will be making the trip.

"I'm hoping out of the 14, that we get at least two of them elected," she said.

The Democratic chair has the unique experience of attending two national conventions for opposing political parties.

"In 2004, I went to the Republican National Convention and I also in the same year went to the Democratic National Convention," Hurlbert said, recalling at the time she was the national president of the Business and Professional Women of USA.

"Certain professional organizations send delegates to both conventions, and it was a wonderful experience," Hurlbert said. "I think I must be one of very few people who have ever attended both the Republican and Democrat conventions in the same year. It's one of my best memories."