Stephen Bittel quietly became a Miami-Dade Democratic precinct captain this week

[Jose Garcia]

In the latest twist in the political saga over who will be the next Florida Democratic Party chief, Miami fundraiser Stephen Bittel quietly became eligible earlier this week to potentially seek the position.

Bittel was one of 131 people formally sworn in as a member of the Miami-Dade County Democratic Executive Committee late Tuesday night when the local party approved a motion to accept applications submitted during the course of the four-hour meeting. Meeting minutes list Bittel as a new DEC member in precinct 586, which suggests he showed up at least briefly to the Miami Springs union hall to sign up. (Reporters didn't spot him inside the packed meeting room.)

Bittel declined to comment in any detail to the Miami Herald on Thursday.

"I hope I'll have more to say in the future," he said. "I care very deeply about the future of our community, state and country."

rest of story: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2016/12/stephen-bittel-quietly-became-a-miami-dade-democratic-precinct-captain-this-week.html

[WhiteTara]

1. So, what's the story on Bittel?

Is he a puke seeking democratic office?

BTW Welcome to DU

[csziggy]

2. He's a long time DNC person - supported Wasserman Shultz

DNC staffers disparaged top party fundraiser and Wasserman Schultz ally
By Matea Gold July 25

<SNIP>

Bittel did not respond to requests seeking comment. The real estate developer owns and operates more than $1 billion of property in Florida, according to the Miami Herald. He hosted Vice President Biden at his Coconut Grove home in May for a fundraiser for Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who announced Sunday she was resigning from her post as the DNC chairwoman.

On Monday, Bittel hosted a thank-you event for Wasserman Schultz at a Philadelphia restaurant, where the besieged congresswoman grew emotional.

According to an internal DNC biography, Bittel has supported “every major Democratic candidate in Florida politics.”

Steve Schale, a Democratic political strategist in Florida who knows Bittel, called the private comments about him "unfortunate."

More: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/07/25/dnc-staffers-disparaged-top-party-fundraiser-and-wasserman-schultz-ally/