(LE FLORIDIEN) — Florida state representatives serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. All 120 seats are up for election this year. A closed primary election will be held on August 28, 2018. The general election will be held on November 6, 2018.
There was a time the Haitian community held a little political power with two representatives at the Florida lower chamber. Since 2016, the number was reduced to zero, after its only remaining member, Daphne Campbell, won a Senate seat (making history moving up, politically) and a bunch of Haitian-Americans candidates failed to win her vacant seat in District 108 over one non-Haitian opponent, today’s incumbent Roy Hardemon.
With the painful redistricting of new Miami-Dade District 107 (merging Districts 103 and 104) in 2012 it has become harder for the community to have two representatives at the lower chamber of the Florida State Legislature.
The only truly viable target now is the District 108 seat, and a member of the Haitian community can still win if the community itself stands behind one candidate during the August 28 Democratic primary. Up to the time we were writing this piece, three candidates have already filed for the seat, two newcomer Haitian-American candidates and incumbent Roy Hardemon, who is logically seeking reelection.
Among the newcomers is Dotie Joseph, a committed and dynamic young attorney, past president of the Haitian American Lawyers Association and a well-known political activist.
“Our community needs a champion who will work for real solutions for ALL of us,” wrote Joseph on her official campaign website, “not just some of us. We need someone who will not sell out the community to special interests. If elected, I will fight for equal access to quality education, affordable health care, and economic opportunity. I want to improve the quality of life for all who live, work, and play in the district.”
She added, “As a black woman, and as a Haitian immigrant who attended Miami-Dade public schools and went on to obtain an Ivy League education, I hope to serve as a living reminder of what truly makes this country great: opportunity. I will fight for equal access to opportunities for all.”
Joseph throwing her hat in the political arena doesn’t take too many by surprise, since she has always demonstrated deep community involvement.
There are some well-known personalities within the Haitian community who approve of and support Dotie Joseph’s political ambition.
Jeff Lozama, President of the Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce, believes it’s time for the well-qualified members of the new generation to start taking over the leadership of the community at different levels, and he is one of Joseph’s biggest supporters.
“Dotie is very smart young person, full of conviction and wants to make sure our laws are fair and equitable,” Lozama said about the daughter of a pastor and a nurse. “In many occasions, she has shown exemplary leadership.”
Attorney Kertch J. Conze, host of the well-respected “Chronique Judiciaire” on Radio Mega 1700 AM, a North Miami Beach-based radio station, supports his colleague’s decision to run for the Florida District 108 seat. “I approve Ms. Joseph’s political move,” Conze said. “She is very qualified to hold that position. What we need most is someone who can really articulate the needs of the constituents, and honestly I think Dotie is so far the best candidate we as a community have in that race. I encourage members of the community to stand behind her campaign in order to win that seat.”
Other community leaders, such as Gepsie Métellus, Executive Director and co-founder of the Haitian Neighborhood Center, Philipe Dérose, former Mayor of the Village of El Portal and former member of the North Miami Beach Council, also believe that, as a State Representative, Ms. Dotie Joseph would be an articulated voice for the voiceless. Contrary to the majority of our elected representatives who most often defend only their own interests, Dotie always shows interest in supporting her community.
While Florida House District 108 is one of Miami-Dade County’s most diverse districts, Ms. Joseph said she is ready to serve the entire community. She is the real deal: genuine, smart, and she cares about the entire community.
Having been born in Haiti and raised in Miami, she has observed the disparities in how the way people are treated because of their race or national origin. Seeking to address these disparities, as part of her community engagement, Ms. Joseph developed and honed her advocacy skills.
As President of the Haitian Lawyers Association (2015 – 2016), Ms. Joseph worked with community partners to conduct legal education programs, citizenship drives, has provided pro bono legal assistance, hosts legal clinics, participates in marches, mentors students and provides scholarships, as well as actively provides a voice to issues affecting the community.
Dotie Joseph attended Miami-Dade public schools, including Lakeview Elementary (Miami), Charles R. Drew Elementary (Liberty City), Miami Norland Middle School (Golden Glades), and Design and Architecture Senior High (Design District/Wynwood). Dotie holds an honors degree in Political Science from Yale University, where she co-founded Klib Kreyol (the Haitian Student Alliance), and studied post-colonial relations with Columbia University in Paris, France.
Ms. Joseph also holds a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center where she represented political asylum seekers and served as President of the Caribbean Law Student’s Association. She also holds a diploma in Mediation and Conflict Resolution for the Institute for International Mediation and Conflict Resolution.
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