In Broward, send Brenner, Bartleman, Woodson to state house

Editorial Note: Luc R. Saint-Genies did not participate in these endorsements. These are words written by Elijah Manley.

In Broward County, we are enthusiastically making endorsements in three key races. Broward County is a Democratic stronghold, with only one Republican legislator out of fourteen legislators (ten in the Florida House, and four in the Florida Senate). However, there are a few close races that are important to watch. Broward has voted a few percentage points redder in 2022, as a result of the Florida red wave.

In House District 100, which covers coastal Broward County and Downtown Fort Lauderdale, we endorse James "Jim" Brenner. Brenner, a Fort Lauderdale resident and former political operative is challenging Republican State Representative Chip LaMarca, who is running for a fourth and final term in the Florida House. Rep. Chip LaMarca has sold District 100 to the highest bidder. When he first ran, LaMarca ran on the promise that he would be a moderate Republican, just as he was for two terms on the Broward County Commission. But since arriving in Tallahassee, LaMarca has been anything but moderate. He's voted for the unpopular "Don't Say Gay Bill" while having a significant LGBTQ+ constituency, and he supported the extremist abortion bans. Why has he been consistently re-elected before? Poor Democratic turnout in this extremely purple district, and a constituency that has forgotten his flip-flopping and moderate cosplay.

On the other hand, Brenner has promised to be a steadier hand, championing solutions to the property insurance crisis, climate change, reproductive rights, and much more. You can trust Brenner to be who he says he will be when he gets to the State Capitol. He has a tough fight on his hands, however. LaMarca is well-funded, flooding his district with mailers and advertisements, lying to voters with moderate sounding language. Brenner also faces the sad reality that Democrats just don't vote as much as Republicans in the district. This is a turnout problem, but in a Presidential election year, there is one last opportunity to snatch power away from a craven, empty politician. That time is now.

Across the county on the western edge, we urge voters in House District 103 to re-elect Rep. Robin Bartleman. The district, which is centered in Weston, is well represented with Bartleman at the helm. There is no need to replace the Weston-based Democrat who has served 16 years as a Broward County School Board member, and a champion for women's rights, environmental sustainability, and public schools. That hasn't stopped republicans from challenging her. She's once again being challenged by George Navarini, who came close to a win due to the 2022 red wave. Bartleman's in a safe place this year due to higher Democratic turnout in presidential years, but be cautious and take nothing for granted.

But in House District 100, Democrats will very likely hold on to the seat held by Rep. Marie Woodson. The incumbent is being challenged by a Libertarian Party candidate who has no name recognition and no chance at winning. Woodson, who first won the South Broward seat in 2020 is an incredible gift to Democrats in Tallahassee. The progressive lawmaker who was previously an administrator for the Miami-Dade County Government champions climate action, healthcare reform, environmental sustainability, and criminal justice reform. Her experience as a local government administrator is so important in the anti-home rule legislature. We support Rep. Marie Woodson.

Endorsements are the viewpoints of The County's Editorial Board members Elijah Manley, and Luc Saint-Genies. Endorsement may or may not reflect the personal beliefs and preferences of individual members of the Editorial Board, or The County's writers.