Democratic official Sanjay Patel to run against Posey for Congress

Brevard County Democratic State Committeeman Sanjay Patel is running for Congress, challenging incumbent Republican Bill Posey in District 8.

"I believe it’s time to cultivate a real conversation on the Space and Treasure coasts about economic, social and environmental justice for all people," Patel said. "I look forward to meeting with, listening to and learning from voters throughout our community over the next several months, as we embark upon what I’m sure will be an extraordinary journey."

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Patel, a resident of Satellite Beach, announced his candidacy this week at a meeting in Viera of the Brevard County Democratic Executive Committee that was attended by about 400 people.

On his campaign website, Patel is described as "an activist, change-maker and organizational transformation consultant who has nearly two decades of diverse experience in the government, corporate and nonprofit sectors."

The Republican-leaning House District 8 includes all of Brevard and Indian River counties, as well as part of eastern Orange County, including Bithlo, Christmas and Wedgefield.

Posey, a resident of Rockledge, was elected to House of Representatives in 2008, and currently is serving his fifth two-year term.

Posey previously served in the Florida Senate, Florida House of Representatives and Rockledge City Council.

On his campaign website, Patel writes that, "as your congressman, I will work to build prosperity for Florida’s families; guarantee health care for all Americans; protect our land, air and our water; and reform our immigration policy to reflect America’s deepest values."

"I am the American Dream, a first-generation immigrant, the son of parents who have barely a high school education, a graduate of UCLA with a degree in economics who has built a small business and a nonprofit, and led transformative efforts in business, philanthropy and politics," Patel said. "It’s time to take the skills and experiences built from my education, my work and, most importantly, from my life on this planet — and transform our collective sadness and outrage into justice for us all."

Patel is half of a Brevard Democratic Party power couple. His wife, Stacey Patel, chairs the Brevard County Democratic Executive Committee. Both were elected Bernie Sanders delegates to the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

In response to Patel's candidacy, Posey issued a statement that said he stands by his "record of public service and years of volunteering for our community."

Republicans have a voter registration advantage in Brevard and Indian River counties, according to the Florida Department of State's latest monthly report, released Dec. 31.

In Brevard, there were 171,942 registered Republicans, 126,602 Democrats, 106,557 voters with no party affiliation and 3,000 voters registered in minor parties.

In Indian River, there were 50,549 Republicans, 29,462 Democrats, 28,637 voters with no party affiliation and 581 voters registered in minor parties.

In the 2016 election, Posey received 63.1 percent of the vote, with Democrat Corry Westbrook getting 32.5 percent and no party affiliation candidate Bill Stinson getting 4.3 percent.

Patel began his career in technology, strategy and consulting roles at Deloitte, Genentech and the Santa Clara County Social Services Agency.

"He then launched a small consulting business in San Francisco, and subsequently founded a nonprofit that used social media to raise funds for change-makers across the globe," his campaign website says.

Before Posey entered public service, he worked at the Kennedy Space Center until he was laid off with the end of the Apollo moon landing program. He then founded Posey & Company Realtors, and later served as a director of the Florida Association of Realtors and president of the Space Coast Association of Realtors.

Dave Berman is government editor at FLORIDA TODAY.

Contact Berman at 321-242-3649 or dberman@floridatoday.com.

Twitter: @bydaveberman

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