15 leaders back Ken Russell for Congress

Democratic Miami City Commissioner Ken Russell has added 15 current and former elected officials from across the state to a growing list of people and organizations backing his campaign to flip Florida’s 27th Congressional District blue this year.

Russell’s campaign announced the endorsements Wednesday. In an accompanying statement, he reiterated his commitment to moving forward in the race and unseating Republican U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar in November.

“I am singularly focused on beating María Elvira Salazar, and having the support of so many accomplished current and former elected officials from throughout Florida only strengthens my resolve to win this race in one of the most flappable districts in our country,” he said.

North Bay Village Mayor Brent Latham said Russell has the knowledge and persistence to be effective in Washington.

“Ken will be a great Representative — an elected official who understands both what needs to be done and how to do it, particularly in terms of the urgent environmental and climate issues facing our district,” he said.

Cutler Bay Councilman Richard Coriat said he’s seen Russell’s work firsthand and can attest to his willingness to collaborate.

“I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Ken as we’ve worked on real issues that matter to Florida,” he said. “We need more leaders like him in South Dade.”

Cape Coral City Council Member Jessica Cosden agreed.

“Local elected officials know how to work with other people, even people who are from different parties, and I think that’s what makes Ken a great candidate,” she said.

Other currently serving officials endorsing Russell this week include Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey, Stuart Mayor Merritt Matheson, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, Miami Springs Councilman Bob Best, Sarasota City Commissioner Jean Ahearn Koch, Deerfield Beach Commissioner Bernie Parness and North Bay Village Commissioner Rachel Streitfeld.

Former U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, who served in public office as both a Republican and Democrat from 2013 to 2017, said Russell “has the track record of getting things done, particularly when it comes to climate change and Florida’s water quality.”

Russell “brings honesty and integrity to the political process,” said Rick Kriseman, former Mayor of St. Petersburg.

“I am confident that as the Representative for (CD 27) he will be able to accomplish that and much more,” he said.

Former state Rep. Juan-Carlos Planas, former South Miami Mayor Philip Stoddard and former Surfside Mayor Daniel Dietch also gave Russell a nod.

They all join Miami Heat veteran big man Udonis Haslem and five South Florida unions — the local chapters of Unite Here, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, International Association of Fire Fighters and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees — in backing Russell.

The Wednesday endorsements of Russell’s campaign come two days after state Miami Democratic state Sen. Annette Taddeo announced that she was dropping out of the Governor’s race and will instead run in CD 27.

The move put her on a…