Dems re-elect party leaders

Rizzo remains county chief

Palm Beach County Democrats had big Election Day disappointments, losing the presidency, U.S. Senate and an open congressional seat. But they’re happy with their local party leaders.

In elections Thursday night, about 160 precinct committeemen and committeewoman from throughout the county reelected Terrie Rizzo as party chairwoman, a job she’s had since 2012.

Rizzo said she wanted to continue in her role to work toward victories in 2018 and 2020. “We’re already looking ahead and planning to take back the governorship and take back the White House.”

Despite the high-profile losses, the Palm Beach County numbers were excellent for Democrats, she said. “We had record turnout, and countywide had the most unified and coordinated campaign that we’ve ever had. Obviously, we need to do many other things better, and we’re going to moving forward.”

Rizzo said the officers, who include a white woman, an African-American man, a Caribbean-American woman, a white man, a lesbian and a Hispanic man, are “reflective of Palm Beach County.”

Deandre Poole was reelected vice chairman, Sophia Nelson as secretary and Robert Diffenderfer as treasurer. All four officers were re-elected without opposition.

The state committewoman, Deidre Newton, and state committeeman, John Ramos, had contested elections but were returned to their four-year jobs on the first ballot.

Maria Cole unsuccessfully challenged Newton, and Irv Rosenthal and Richard Ryles unsuccessfully ran for committeeman.

The county chairwoman and the state committeeman and state committeewoman represent county Democrats at the state party level.