When Women Succeed America Succeeds

By Diane Johnson

When “Women Succeed, America succeeds” is the slogan for Annette Taddeo’s campaign for Congress. Taddeo is running as a Democrat to unseat Republican Carlos Curbelo for Florida’s 26th District.

On Saturday, February 13 Shirley Freeman and Harvey Server opened up their beautiful home on Eaton St in Key West to host a fundraiser for Annette Taddeo. In attendance were two Congresswomen: Cheri Bustos (D-Illinois) and Lois Frankel (D-Florida). Bustos and Frankel are part of a national campaign to change congressional representation from Red to Blue, Republican to Democrat. The Democrats have also developed a new program: Women Lead. Our very own Congresswoman Frankel is the co-chair of Women Lead. The purpose is to get more women elected to serve in Congress. Congresswoman Bustos is the vice chair of the Recruitment Committee, and there are only 16 people on the Red to Blue list nationally. The Taddeo event was their national kickoff campaign for 2016.

Over 70 people, some who drove from as far away as Islamorada, attended the Women For Annette Launch Party. If elected, Annette Taddeo would be the first Democratic woman ever elected to the 26th district. “Women are underrepresented in Congress”, Bustos explained. “We govern in a different way. By our very nature, we are collaborative and we don’t see those who disagree with us as the enemy. We focus on results and don’t let our egos get in the way of getting things done”. Frankel also spoke, saying “We need people who are willing to stand up for their values and reach across the aisle so we can solve problems”.

Taddeo shared stories from her college days and from 2008 when she ran to unseat Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. During that 2008 campaign, a young man wanted to ask her about her position on LGBT rights but was very nervous, and instead he whispered to her that he was gay. Annette told him “I love you for who you are and I will fight for you”! She was brought to tears at his fear of speaking up publicly and explained she believes in human rights, which include LGBT rights and women’s rights. Annette spoke fiercely about how people today are still being judged by the color of their skin. The daughter of a Colombian mother and an American father, Annette is well acquainted with the many challenges immigrants face. As a freshman in college, she didn’t speak English. Today she is the proud business owner of a language translation company.

As the past chair of the Miami Dade Democratic party, she follows the advice her Father gave her years ago:” If you don’t have a voice at the table, you may be on the menu”. Taddeo’s father was a fighter pilot in WWII and Korea. She’s a fighter too and wants to take the fight to D.C. and be the voice that represents our values.

For more information on Annette Taddeo, check out her website at: http://www.annettetaddeo.com

 

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