On Saturday, December 14th, 2024 the Miami-Dade Democratic Executive Committee will elect a new Chair to serve for the next four years to lead the Miami-Dade Democratic Party.
The Chair serves as the chief executive and presiding officer of the Miami-Dade Democratic Executive Committee, with the authority to make decisions between meetings, provided they align with established laws and policies. Responsibilities include appointing and removing key roles such as Parliamentarian, General Counsel, and committee members. The Chair manages staff hiring within budgetary limits, oversees financial records, and prepares an annual budget for approval. Additionally, the Chair ensures transparency in financial dealings, regulates expenditures, and enforces conflict-of-interest disclosures for contractors.
The candidates for Chair are:
- Venusmia Fernández Lovely
- Ricky Junquera
- Laura Kelley
- Marco Reyes
Read more about the candidates...
Venusmia Fernández Lovely
Why I'm running: As we reflect on election night, it's clear we need unity—a forward-looking path that tackles today's issues. The road ahead won't be easy, but we will fight back. First, we must understand how we got here.
We are the party of working people, rooted in values and driven to create a better America. The election results remind us that local politics and grassroots organizing are key to moving forward.
That's why I'm running for Chair of the Miami-Dade Democratic Executive Committee.
I ask for your support as we reclaim our time and build a brighter future together.
Bio: Venusmia Fernandez Lovely is a Brooklyn-born, Miami-raised advocate with Dominican and Georgian roots. The daughter of former NY Dominican Consul General Francisco Fernandez and educator Beverly Scott, Venus has dedicated her career to multicultural arts, social change, and civic engagement. Notable for her role in the award-winning Coconut Grove Children’s Theater, she has worked on initiatives like "Voices in the Wind" and Miami Carnival. Venus has held leadership roles as Chief of Staff for state representatives and senators and co-founded the *Que Lo Que* podcast and *Blactino*. She is president of the South Dade Democratic Black Caucus and a committed community leader..
Ricky Junquera
Why I'm running: Ricky is running for Chair of the Miami Dade Democratic Executive Committee to bring structure and reform. He has a vision towards a future where candidates and elected officials can depend on the body to cultivate, activate, and engage voters to turn out to elect Democrats up and down the ballot. Ricky is committed to appointing Committee Chairs that have never been Chairs before while providing them training, best practices, and quarterly reviews to ensure they are meeting regularly and producing for the body and beyond. He will hold himself to having his leadership reviewed every December of his tenure by the steering committee.
Bio: Ricky Junquera was born and raised in Westchester to Cuban American parents. With a BA in Political Science and a MA in Communications, Ricky has been Senior Press Secretary for Sierra Club for 9 years, and most recently was Senior Advisor on Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell’s U.S. Senate race. He has a strong understanding of building infrastructure and fundraising from stints as Acting Chair of the MDDP in 2018, electing Democratic women to four of the five Miami Dade Congressional seats while also running for office himself in 2020 raising over $500,000. Ricky currently resides in Liberty City.
Laura Kelley
Why I'm running: Please see this video
My experience as a first time candidate and as someone who has led a large organization, gives me a fresh perspective on how to make structural and systemic change to rebuild and overhaul the Miami Dade DEC. We must approach our electoral losses with humility and compassion. We must listen to the voters who stayed home, the voters who chose Trump, and our base who voted. We must understand their needs to serve them. We also must take what we learn and rebrand the DEC. As an organization, we need leadership who will create processes that rely on accountability for each position and committee. We must be in all of our communities throughout the year, not just during the election cycle. We must be present in Spanish-, Creole-, and English-language media outlets. We need to be able to mobilize, engage, inform, and inspire voters through effective messaging and marketing.
Bio: Laura F. Kelley is an immigration attorney with over a decade of experience living and working in Miami Dade County. She speaks Spanish fluently, and recently ran for State Representative for FL HD 111. As a first time candidate in a GOP District, Laura was able to raise nearly $60,000 in total contributions.
Laura graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with University Honors and Honors in Major from the University of Houston in 2003. She earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of California College of the Law in San Francisco in 2006. She earned her Master of Laws at Universidad Carlos III in Madrid, Spain.
Laura served as the Chair of the South Florida Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association for the 2023-2024 term, an organization with over 1200 members. Laura is also an active member of the Florida Lawyers Network, Ms. Esquire, Connect Esq. and the Doral Bar Association.
Marco Reyes
Why I'm running: As your current Party Secretary and a former candidate for FL HD 119, I am humbly asking for your support in my bid to become the next Chair of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party. This past election cycle, I had the unique opportunity to serve on both sides of the aisle: as a candidate and as Secretary of the Party. This experience has provided me with invaluable insights and lessons that I am eager to apply as your next Chair.
One key lesson I’ve learned is that we must reach out to and engage voters across every corner of Miami-Dade County. Without this, we won’t be able to elect another Democrat in our county. Too many Democrats feel unheard, disconnected, and unappreciated by the Party. I’ve heard this directly from voters while knocking on doors, and I’ve seen how this frustration has led many registered Democrats to switch to No Party Affiliation (NPA). We must start addressing this now. Time is not on our side, with elections just two years away and the potential for special elections before then.
Reclaiming Miami-Dade County for the Democratic Party will not be easy. It will require dedication, hard work, and a collective effort—but the rewards will be worth it when we successfully flip this county back to blue.
Achieving this goal means we must also focus on fundraising. I am committed to making these calls and working closely with party leaders to identify potential donors. Additionally, I am committed to hiring a full-time Executive Director focused solely on fundraising. This person will be compensated based on the funds they raise for the DEC, ensuring their work directly benefits the party.
The important work that Chair Jones began must continue—and we must build on it. I am committed to that vision and to ensuring that we return Miami-Dade County to its rightful place as a stronghold for the Democratic Party.
Thank you for considering my candidacy. With your support, I am confident that we can turn Miami-Dade County blue once again.
Bio: I am a proud Miami native, a father to four wonderful daughters, and together with my wife, we own a small business. My parents were both Cuban, and I was raised by a single mother, which shaped my deep sense of empathy and compassion for others. There were times when my mom had to choose between putting food on the table or paying the rent, and those moments taught me the true meaning of resilience and community.
Miami-Dade County is my home, and I am more committed than ever to returning it to Democratic control. This past election cycle was an eye-opening experience, one that has fueled my drive to see Miami-Dade back to blue status. I had the honor of running for FL HD 119 and serving as your Party Secretary. These experiences have been deeply fulfilling, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to run for Party Chair.
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