Candidates to lead Broward’s political parties

Democrat Rick Hoye, 41, is an eighth-grade social studies and American history teacher.Lives in Sunrise and has been a Broward resident for 14 years.

Currently first vice chairman of the county party. Past president of the Broward Young Democrats and the Greater Sunrise Democratic Club. Member, executive board of the Florida State AFL-CIO and state president of Florida Future Labor Leaders.

Leads the “Unity Ticket” slate. Supporters include veteran prominent elected officials, including Congressman Alcee Hastings and County Commissioner Nan Rich.

Democrat Alfredo Olvera, 46, is a real estate agentLives in Fort Lauderdale and said he’s been a full-time Broward resident for four years. Originally from Ecuador, he became a citizen in 2016.

He is currently president of the Dolphin Democrats, the political club for LGBTQ Democrats and their supporters. Member, South Florida steering committee for Human Rights Campaign.

He is leading a slate called Stronger Together, which is still recruiting candidates for some positions. Supporters include some new elected officials, including Oakland Park Commissioner Jane F. Bolin, currently serving a turn as mayor, and Sarah Leonardi, elected to the School Board this year.

Republican Tom Powers, 63, was a narcotics agent on the Mexican border for 21 years and spent six years on the Coral Springs City Commission. Lives in Coral Springs and has been a Broward resident for 19 years.

He is currently vice chairman of the Broward Republican Party and president of the Coral Springs-Parkland Republican Club.

He leads a group of candidates seeking the four party jobs. He is supported by current chairman George Moraitis, who is not running again.

Powers said Broward Republicans have quieted the turmoil that consumed county party meetings for years. Besides the positive results in the 2020 elections, he said the party enjoyed a surge in volunteers in 2020 and fundraising has improved.

He said he knows how to operate in the Democratic dominated county. He grew up in a mixed family, his mother a Democrat and father a Republican. His siblings were split too.