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Statewide political group wades into key state Senate races

For Our Future Florida announced Wednesday it will invest in Janet Cruz' effort to unseat Republican Dana Young in the race for Senate District 18.
 
Published Aug. 9, 2018

The race for Senate District 18 is set to be among the most competitive in Florida this fall.

For Our Future Florida wants in.

According to a release put out by the labor-backed group Wednesday, For our Future will invest in Democrats running for key down ballot seats this fall — including the one currently occupied by Sen. Dana Young, R-Tampa.

"The announcement of the State Senate program signals that large progressive groups are taking down-ballot state contests seriously as well," the group's communications manager Blake Williams said in the release.

For Our Future, which knocked on over 3 million doors during the 2016 election cycle, had previously announced it would get involved in this cycle's governor's race and U.S. Senate contest. But the efforts to unseat Young — and state Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville — adds a new dimension to its 2018 efforts.

"The State Senate program will be a comprehensive field effort focused on both persuasion and mobilization universes and will include a vote-by-mail program layered into the field campaign," Williams wrote.

Young will face state House minority leader Janet Cruz, and Perry will likely square off against Kayser Enneking. But Enneking will have to get through primary opponent Olysha Magruder first.