(Miami Beach, Florida) October 18, 2011— After a comprehensive endorsement process, the SAVE Dade Action PAC is proud to endorse Mattie Bower, Jonah Wolfson, and Deede Weithorn for the City of Miami Beach Mayor and Commission elections.

Matti Bower: A long-time champion of equality, Mattie Bower cares deeply about the LGBT community and has supported our issues at every level of government. Mayor Bower continues to find ways to leverage her public position to push us closer toward equality, not only in her city, but also at the state and federal levels. She helped start the City’s first Pride Committee, formed the first LGBT Business Enhancement Committee, and continues to place qualified openly LGBT people in positions of leadership. Because of her leadership and support for the community, Mayor Bower has earned the SAVE Dade Action PAC endorsement.

Jonah Wolfson: As a sitting elected official, Jonah Wolfson believes in equality for all people and has had a pro-equality voting record since he was first elected to the commission. Most recently, Commissioner Wolfson fought for the creation of the Human Rights Committee at the city-level. In an effort to pass pro-LGBT legislation in other municipalities, Commissioner Wolfson helped build connections in other cities. Even though Jonah did not receive the SAVE Dade endorsement in his first bid for City Commissioner, his commitment to equality and support for the community has earned him the SAVE Dade Action PAC endorsement.

Deede Weithorn: Commissioner Weithorn is one of the strongest champions for LGBT equality in Miami-Dade County, and continues to find ways to support the community. Her most recent efforts include voting in favor of creating the Miami Beach Human Rights Committee and making LGBT issues a priority for Miami Beach’s public policy consultants in Tallahassee. A staunch fiscal conservative, Commissioner Weithorn shows that elected officials do not need to compromise their support for equality. Commissioner Weithorn’s door is always open to the LGBT community as well as the community at large and her leadership has earned her the SAVE Dade Action PAC endorsement.

“Miami Beach has a diverse community with a significant number of residents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender,” said C.J. Ortuno executive director of the SAVE Dade Action PAC. “That’s why it’s so important for us to endorse Miami Beach candidates who support equality for their LGBT constituents.”

SAVE Dade's mission is to promote, protect and defend equality for people in Miami-Dade County who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. Established in 1993, SAVE Dade accomplishes this mission through education initiatives, outreach, grassroots organizing, and advocacy. Starting with the landmark passage of Miami's Human Rights Ordinance in 1998 to recent enactments of domestic partner benefit policies, SAVE continues to lead the fight for LGBT equality in Miami-Dade County through grassroots action focused on civil rights, parental rights, and relationship recognition through political advocacy, community outreach, and candidate endorsements.