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Florida Democratic party to name Haitian-American Leonard Joseph Executive director

TALLAHASSEE -- The Florida Democratic Party is expected to name its first Haitian-American executive director today.

Leonard Joseph, the party's political director, is in line for promotion to succeed Luis Navarro as staff boss of the state party. Navarro resigned this week to join the presidential campaign of U.S. Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del.

Joseph worked in finance for the Democratic national congressional campaign committee in Washington and was a regional director for the John Kerry campaign in 2003-04, before joining the staff of the Florida party.

State Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman is expected to formally make the announcement of his appointment later today.

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Florida Democrats Name First Haitian-American To Top Post

Friday, January 12, 2007

The Florida Democratic Party has elected Haitian American Leonard Joseph to the post of executive director. Joseph is the first Haitian migrant to serve in the post.

Joseph, the party's political director, was named to the top post following the resignation of Luis Navarro.

"Leonard is a perfect fit for the Florida Democratic Party for 2007 and 2008. He knows Florida, and he is knowledgeable about presidential politics," Karen Thurman, chair of the Party said. "Having spent the last year with the Party, Leonard provides a seamless transition and will help deliver Florida's 27 electoral votes to the Democratic nominee for President in 2008."

In commenting on the appointment, Joseph called it an honor and said he looks "... forward to building on the state party's successes in the 2006 cycle with the goal of electing more Democrats in Florida and a Democratic President next November."

Joseph, who ran the Party's Orlando-based political operation in 2006, helped reelect U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, elect the first Democratic Cabinet officer since 1998, pick up two Republican-held U.S. Congressional seats and seven State House seats, and win the Hispanic vote for the first time since 1976.

Joseph has a deep background in politics, including serving as regional political director for John Kerry for President, deputy campaign manager for Fernando Ferrer for New York, and director of financial services at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Haitians in Florida comprise some seven percent of the total foreign-born population, according to the Migration Policy Center.