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Florida Democratic Party Names Marcus L. Dixon its New Executive Director
Dixon comes to FDP with a proven track record of success overseeing political, legislative, and electoral campaigns benefitting the working families of Florida.
Today, the Florida Democratic Party announced that veteran political operative and labor leader, Marcus L. Dixon, has been hired as its new Executive Director. In this role, Dixon will run FDP’s day-to-day operations, as he works with newly-elected FDP Chairman Manny Diaz to oversee the Party’s effort to fundraise, recruit and support Democratic candidates and build a year-round grassroots organizing operation that turns Florida blue in 2022 and beyond.
Dixon comes to FDP after leading Chairman Diaz’s successful campaign for the Chairmanship and serving as the Florida Executive Director for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) – the second-largest and fastest – growing union in North America with 2.1 million members, including more than 55,000 active and retired healthcare professionals, public employees, and property service workers in Florida. Dixon was responsible for overseeing the group’s political, legislative, outreach and electoral operations in Florida, including its coordinated and independent expenditure programs.
“Marcus is a proven, exemplary leader. I am thrilled that he has agreed to partner with me in this effort,” said Florida Democratic Party Chairman Manny Diaz. “Marcus brings with him the passion and commitment to working people and public service that we need to move our party forward. His career embodies the core principle of the Democratic Party – the promise of the opportunity to fight for the American Dream for all Americans.”
A native of Miami, Dixon has dedicated his career to uplifting working people in this state. Prior to being named Executive Director at SEIU Florida, Dixon served as the organization’s state Political Director. Most recently he served as an Executive Committee member on the Amendment 2 ballot initiative that raised the minimum wage in Florida to $15 an hour.
“It’s great to have a steady, resolved leader like Marcus at the helm at FDP with so much at stake now and in the years ahead,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried, the only Democrat elected statewide in Florida. “As our next Executive Director, Marcus will be committed to transforming the FDP into an organization that is responsive, reflective and effective to and for our grassroots voters and will be laser focused on helping us build out a year-round, statewide operation that takes no voter for granted and elects Democrats up and down the ballot. Marcus’ experience as an organizer and political strategist is invaluable to the future of the FDP.”
Dixon’s resume also includes work as Policy Advisor to then-Chairman of the Miami-Dade Board County Commissioners Jean Monestime, a Political Director on Charlie Crist’s 2014 Gubernatorial Campaign, Policy Director for Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, and as an advisor to various candidates and issue campaigns.
“I could not think of a better person to be tapped for this role,” said Congresswoman Frederica Wilson. “Marcus’ experience working in government, organizing, labor and in building coalitions at every level is exactly what we need to be successful as a party. It is time we focus on winning elections and building a multi-racial democracy. I am confident that as Executive Director, Marcus will help us do that.”
“I am humbled by the trust and support of our party’s leadership and clear-eyed about the monumental task ahead” said Marcus L. Dixon, incoming Executive Director of the Florida Democratic Party. “At the core of what we fight for is equity and inclusion, the dignity of work, and the realization of equal justice and opportunity for all. The pandemic has highlighted the real-life consequences of losing elections. If we are to ever achieve our vision, we have to lead with these values. We have to be present in our communities like never before and work passionately with each other on our common goal of electing candidates that will fight for all of us. I look forward to working with Chair Diaz to strengthen our party and bring disparate and oft-undervalued voices to the table to build an inclusive and unified, results-oriented coalition committed to long-term systematic change in this state.”
Marcus Dixon graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Florida, where he was elected Student Body Vice President. Dixon also graduated from Florida State University with a Master of Public Administration. He is a mentor and product of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Program, a member of the Florida Blue Key, a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc, and a recently-elected member of the Democratic National Committee. Dixon’s first day on the job will be February 1. A native of South Florida, he currently resides in Miramar.