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American Legion Post 98 in Coral Gables hosted a large-scale political candidates forum on Wednesday night, Sept. 25, featuring candidates running for office in the November 2024 election. These included a number of candidates running for county, state and federal offices.
A standing-room-only crowd of Legion members and invited guests attended.
Post Vice Commander Al Rivera welcomed everyone, filling in for Post Commander Juan Gomez who is active duty and currently deployed. The meeting was called to order, Chaplain Michael Pelton gave the prayer, and Vice Commander Rivera led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Daisy Baez, a U.S. Army veteran and member of Post 98, served as the forum moderator. She read the rules and began the forum.
Invited were candidates for U.S. Senate and Congressional districts, Florida Senate and House Districts, and five county offices. Past Adjutant Paul Kruger and Daisy Baez worked together to organize the event, contact the candidates and get the word out.
Each candidate was allowed five minutes to state their position. No direct question and answer sessions. Any candidate present was permitted to speak. Back and forth between candidates was not permitted, though they could contrast their vision against that of an opponent.
In the U.S. Senate race, Debbie Mucarsell-Powell (D) spoke. Rick Scott (R) did not attend.
In the U.S. Congress 27th district race, Lucia Baez-Gueller (D) spoke. Maria Elvira Salazar (R) did not attend.
In the US Congress 28th district race, Phil Ehr (D) spoke, Carlos Gimenez (R) did not attend.
In the State Senate 39th District race, Charles Lewis (D) spoke. Bryan Avila (R) did not attend.
In the State House District 113 race, Jackie Gross-Kellogg (D) spoke. Vicki Lopez (R) did not attend.
In the State House District 114 race, Demi Busatta Cabrera (R) spoke. Matthew John Bornstein (D) did not attend.
In the State House District 115 race, Norma Perez Schwartz (D) spoke. Omar Blanco (R) did not attend.
In the State House District 117 race, Kevin Chamblis (D) spoke. Beatrice Slawson (R) did not attend.
In the State House District 119 race, Marco Reyes (D) spoke. Juan Carlos Porras (R) did not attend.
Running for County Property Appraiser, Marisol Zenteno (D) and Tomas Regalado (R) spoke.
Running for County Sheriff, James Reyes (D) and Rosie Cordero-Stutz (R) spoke.
Running for County Tax Collector, David Richardson (D) and Dariel Fernandez (R) spoke.
Running for County Supervisor of Elections, JC Planas (D) and Alina Garcia (R) spoke.
Running for County Clerk of Court, Annette Taddeo (D) and Juan Fernandez-Barquin (R) spoke.
Before and after the forum was a “mix and mingle” time for candidates and Legionnaires to have one on one conversations.
Post Vice Commander Alberto Rivera was pleased to see the participation of everyone.
“It is American Legion Post 98’s privilege to host such an event,” Rivera said. “I believe hosting this type of event is critical to our veteran communities’ awareness. Veterans strive to educate themselves on which policies are important to our candidates and want to know that our elected officials will fight tirelessly for veterans’ rights and benefits.”
The American Legion was founded in 1919 on four pillars: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth. Each of these pillars encompasses a variety of programs that benefit the nation’s veterans, its service members, their families, the youth of America and ordinary citizens.
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