State Rep. David Richardson is delaying his bid for the Florida Senate seat in the best 
indication so far that rumors of Sen. Gwen Margolis‘ retirement are greatly exaggerated.
Richardson (D-Miami Beach) may have bee under the impression in January that Margolis was not going to run for re-election when he opened an account for the Senate race in their district. But he has always maintained that he would not run against her. He recently switched his candidacy to his own House seat.
And he’s been going to community events together with her.
Read related story: David Richardson sets sights on Sen. Gwen Margolis’ seat
“Sen. Gwen Margolis and I hosted a Town Hall meeting with Miami Beach residents tonight to discussed the most recent legislative sessions,” Richardson posted on Facebook Wednesday, laying it a little thick with praise (or penance?). “Gwen Margolis and I have worked closely in Tallahassee 
to achieve results for our community. I have learned so much from her about the budget process.”
Earlier that day, the two had been together at the Lighthouse for the Blind “Legislative Appreciation” event. Last week, they were both at the Latin Builders Association legislative update panel discussion, a day after Richardson sponsored the First Annual Yeshiva of Miami Dinner, which honored Margolis and Harold Foster, board member of Jewish Community Services of South Florida.
“My two Tallahassee dinner buddies,” Richardson called them. “They both do great work for our community and I’m so happy to call them friends.”
Maybe he’s angling for Margolis’ endorsement. Not just for 2020, where he did file for the district — because Margolis will be forced to retire by term limits. But also next year. Because the first openly-gay person elected to the House (key word: openly), will need more than the gay 
vote to save him in 2016. He’s never really had the tough opposition his may face in this race.
Miami Beach Commissioner Deede Weithorn is also running for the seat, as is Little Havana activist Rey Valdes in what will be a rare, three-way Democratic primary next August. Weithorn, a longtime city commissioner, pulls the old, established and Jewish Miami Beach vote. Valdes pulls the Hispanic viejitos, particularly across the bridge in the small but dense Miami part of the district. Both said Richardson’s switch would not chase them off the race.
“This was not unexpected,” Weithorn told Ladra.
“I have lots of respect for David Richardson,” Valdes said.. “However, I have made a commitment to run and represent the residents of District 113. My candidacy will continue regardless of who may or may not run.
“May the best man or woman win.”
Doubletake: David Richardson jumps back to House for 2016 added by Ladra on
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Since the Florida Senate and House are overwhelmingly Republican, and the only Democrats who get elected in the State are Blacks, Jews, and the occasional Gay or Lesbian generally, whose cares who wins a Democratic seat in the State Senate or House? All they do is feather their own nests because the conservative, rural Republican leaders in the Senate and House loathe Blacks, Jews, Gays and Lesbians and even if a Democrat comes up with a good or brilliant idea,it is dead on arrival.
If instead of prancing around running for positions with no influence or power, the Democratic candidates would work to build up the Democratic Party to be more centrist and not so left wing nutso, may we Democrats would have a chance to win one or both Chambers and a race in Miami-Dade or Boward County to represent a Black or Jewish majority district won’t be so pointless.
Gwen Margolis should retire. She was good, but she needs to recognize when it’s time to go. So cap off a long and illustrious public service career, Gwen, and go. Let other, younger ones have their chance. You had yours.
[…] first reported by Ladra in the Political Cortadito, Richardson has backed off his initial plans to run for the Senate in […]
[…] first reported by Ladra in the Political Cortadito, Richardson has backed off his initial plans to run for the […]
[…] first reported by Ladra in the Political Cortadito, Richardson has backed off his initial plans to run for the Senate in […]
I have to agree with JSS above. Richardson has represented his community.Unfortunately, the appearance is that he is focused on gay issues and that is simply not true. As a long time Beach resident, I believe that Richardson has represented me as well. Y habla español.
Richardson has been and will continue to be one of the finest most dedicated leaders in Florida’s legislature. He is smart, articulate, and has been one of very few Democrats to get anything done in our Republican dominated state.
Richardson had the shortest lived state senate campaign in Miami’s history, and now he followed Andrew Korge’s strategy of filing for 2020. I thought Richardson was supposed to have more experience??…seems like Korge is making all the right moves, and Richardson is spinning out of control with his double takes.
Ladra, I was undecided in the Korge vs Richardson race – they are both great candidates. But now it is clear that Andrew Korge is smarter, a true leader who wants to fight for progressive values, and most importantly a viable statewide candidate which democrats desperately need (unlike Richardson I might add).
It is now crystal clear to me and others that Andrew Korge is clearly the best candidate for Democrats in that state senate seat regardless of whether it is 2016 or 2020.
David Richardson starts by filing for state senate two months after he was reelected for the first time, now he jumps back to his house seat? Does this guy actually want to serve the people of Miami Beach, or is he just another typical politician who only cares about getting a promotion and along the way sells out to the special interests for campaign cash?…
I have lived on Miami Beach for 30 years, and I voted for Richardson when he ran the first time, but it is clear this guy doesn’t care about Miami Beach, he only cares about himself. I am going to vote for Deede Weithorn in this election.
No one votes in Primaries. Huge advantage to Valdes the activist. Only the viejitos come out to vote. Probably a good thing since Richardson has done nothing during two terms.