Joe Biden’s Democratic competitors for the 2024 US presidential election have accused the party’s leadership in Florida of harming democracy by refusing them a position on the ballot in a primary poll.
Parties decide who can run in a primary election under state regulations, and the deadline for presenting a list of recognised candidates to Florida officials was last Thursday. However, in a largely unnoticed move on November 1, Florida Democrats informed authorities that current US President Biden was their sole choice, essentially cancelling the primary.
Representative Dean Phillips, book author Marianne Williamson, and political talk show personality Cenk Uygur have all voiced dismay at the development and have vowed to resist it.
Phillips described it as a “tragedy and a travesty” in a video message released on Friday, adding, “I am running for president.” Other Democrats are running for president. And this is something that happens in Tehran, not Tallahassee.”
On the same day, Williamson stated at a joint press conference with Uygur that the Democratic Party leadership in Florida had performed a “quasi-governmental function,” similar to officials in the Soviet Union, where elections were technically held but the possibilities were strictly controlled.
“This is the chipping away of our democracy,” stated Williamson. “This is part of a larger effort undertaken by the Democratic Party.” This has something to do with media repression, invisibility, and erasure.”
According to Uygur, the Democrats claim to be protecting the American political system from Donald Trump, but the party has effectively given the impression that “we had to destroy democracy in order to save it.”
Florida Democratic functionaries have dismissed the accusations. Chair Nikki Fried called Phillips’ rebuke a “knee-jerk reaction to long-established procedures,” claiming that his remarks were “unbecoming of someone running for higher office.” Communications director Eden Giagnorio insisted there was “no conspiracy” and that the plan had been known “for months.” He previously conceded that primary contenders are not formally required to do anything to get on the ballot.
