Leadership changes coming to Broward political parties as they regroup and look to 2022

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 agent.

  • Lives 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.

Source: Candidate interviews, Facebook posts, current Democratic and Republican party officers.