Democratic activist sues over loss of Florida delegates

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

TAMPA, Fla. -- A Tampa Democratic activist sued the national and state Democratic parties in federal court Thursday over the national party's decision to strip Florida of its delegates for next year's presidential nominating convention.

Seeking to penalize Florida for moving up its primary election to Jan. 29, the Democratic National Committee's rules committee voted Saturday to take away Florida's 210 votes in the national nominating convention in Denver next summer.

Political consultant Victor DiMaio, who serves on the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee, claims in his lawsuit that the action violates his constitutional rights.

"Right now we have zero delegates, so we have no voice" in choosing the Democratic nominee for president, DiMaio said.

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