Summary
Debbie Jessika Mucarsel-Powell is an American politician and academic administrator who served as a U.S. representative for Florida’s 26th congressional district from 2019 to 2021.
Born: 1971 (age 53 years), Ecuador
Party: Democratic Party
Education: Claremont Graduate University (1994–1996), Pitzer College
Spouse: Robert Powell
Previous office: Representative, FL 26th District (2019–2021)
Candidate for: 2024 United States Senate elections
Previous campaigns: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida
OnAir Post: Debbie Mucarsel-Powell
News
The Florida Supreme Court has allowed a 15-week abortion ban to stand. It has also allowed Florida voters the opportunity to overrule that decision by approving a November ballot initiative establishing abortion as a right until “viability.” Republican Florida Senator Rick Scott will be on the ballot in November, and given this news, he will face a challenging path to re-election. Former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell of Florida, who is running to replace Rick Scott in the U.S. Senate, joins Joy Reid.
About
Overview
DEBBIE MUCARSEL-POWELL’S STORY IS FLORIDA’S STORY.
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell came to the U.S. from South America at a young age with her mom and sisters, fleeing violence and searching for a better life.
While her mother worked double shifts as a home healthcare provider, Debbie worked at a doughnut shop to help her family make ends meet. After working her way through high school and college, Debbie worked for Florida International University’s Colleges of Health and Medicine. While at FIU, Debbie helped lead a program to expand access to affordable healthcare to more Floridians.
Serving in Congress, Debbie fought to expand opportunity for every American. Debbie wrote the bill to expand seniors’ Medicare Advantage coverage, and she worked with Republicans to provide economic relief to families and small businesses, and secured $200 million for Everglades restoration. When Debbie was 24, she tragically lost her father to gun violence, and she has been a lifelong advocate for reducing crime and keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals.
Florida is one of the least affordable states in the nation, but Senator Rick Scott wants to raise taxes on our families and end Social Security and Medicare coverage. As someone who takes care of her elderly mother, Debbie will always fight to protect Medicare, Social Security and access to quality, affordable healthcare.
And Rick Scott has pushed for a nationwide abortion ban, working to take the rights away of women and their families.
DEBBIE IS STANDING UP TO SAY: NO MÁS.
Source: Campaign Site
Web Links
Politics
U.S. House of Representatives
Source: Wikipedia
2018
See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida § District 26
In August 2017, Mucarsel-Powell announced she would challenge Republican Rep. Carlos Curbelo in Florida’s 26th congressional district of the United States House of Representatives in the 2018 elections. She defeated veteran Demetries Grimes in the Democratic Party primary election, receiving 63.5% of the vote.
In the November 6 general election, Mucarsel-Powell defeated Curbelo, receiving 50.9% of the vote, becoming the first Ecuadorian-born person to be elected to the United States Congress and the first woman to represent Florida’s 26th congressional district.
2020
Mucarsel-Powell was defeated for re-election by the Republican nominee, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Giménez.
Tenure
On December 18, 2019, Mucarsel-Powell voted to impeach President Donald Trump.
Committee assignments
Committee on the JudiciarySubcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security
Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship
Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureSubcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
Caucus memberships
Congressional Animal Protection Caucus
Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues[
Congressional Hispanic Caucus[
Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus
Congressional Progressive Caucus
New Democrat Coalition
Issues
Campaign Site
REDUCING HIGH COSTS AND INFLATION
The cost of living is skyrocketing in Florida. As an immigrant who worked her way through high school and college at minimum wage jobs, Debbie is running for the U.S. Senate because she knows firsthand that we need to do more to support hard-working Floridians who are struggling. From the rising costs of homeowners insurance to housing to health care, prices are out of control and Floridians are fed up. And to make matters worse, we have a Senator in Rick Scott who is completely out of touch with the real problems that so many in Florida are facing. In the Senate, Debbie will tackle rising costs head on. Unlike Rick Scott, she opposes raising taxes on the middle class. Debbie also supports investing in job and vocational training to create opportunities for Floridians to establish strong careers.
PROTECTING SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE
Debbie lives with her elderly mother and is her primary caretaker, so she understands the critical role both Medicare and Social Security play for our seniors. While Senator Rick Scott wrote the plan to defund Medicare and Social Security, in Congress Debbie wrote the plan to expand Medicare. From her time as an associate dean at the FIU medical school to her time in Congress, Debbie has worked at the state and national level to expand health care access to Americans and protect our seniors who have worked their entire lives to earn their retirement. Rick Scott’s plan would increase the number of seniors in poverty by 40%. Protecting Social Security and expanding access to Medicare are two of her highest priorities in the U.S. Senate. Too many Floridians rely on these services to let extremist Republicans like Rick Scott gut them.
REDUCING COSTS AND THE PRICE OF MEDICATION
Debbie knows that for too many Floridians, health care costs too much and provides too little. And the costs keep going up. As Associate Dean at FIU Medical School, Debbie worked hard to expand health care access to thousands of Floridians, an issue that inspired her to run for public office. Debbie supports ensuring that Floridians have access to high quality affordable health care so no Floridian has to worry about seeking the care they need and being served a surprise medical bill that could bankrupt them and their family. Debbie sponsored legislation to expand Medicare and reduce the price of medication. Meanwhile, Senator Rick Scott wrote the plan to cut Medicare and said as recently as this year that he would support repealing the Affordable Care Act, ripping affordable health care away from over 3 million Floridians, including those with pre-existing conditions. Rick Scott also opposed the Inflation Reduction Act, which stops drug companies from jacking up prices for life saving medications like insulin.
PROTECTING CLEAN WATER AND OUR ENVIRONMENT
Florida’s natural beauty and unique environment is one of the many things that makes it so special – and is a key driver of our economic prosperity and tourism in Florida. In Congress, Debbie represented South Florida, the Florida Keys, and the Everglades, and worked across the aisle to bring over $200 million to the state for environmental and Everglades preservation. In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, Debbie delivered nearly $10 million in essential FEMA funding for South Florida communities. In the U.S. Senate, Debbie will fight for funding to help Florida build the climate-resilient infrastructure needed to fight climate change. Unlike Rick Scott who banned the use of the term “climate change” as Governor and dismisses it as “nuisance flooding,” Debbie knows climate change is real and she is ready to take action to address the climate crisis that is impacting Floridians, their lives, and their property.
KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES AND KIDS SAFE
Debbie knows that in order to make our communities safer, we have to take action to address gun violence. In addition to supporting our law enforcement officers and ensuring they have the resources they need to keep our communities safe, Debbie recognizes that lawmakers must also do their part to help keep Floridians safe. The fight to end gun violence is deeply personal for Debbie. At just 24 years old, Debbie lost her father to gun violence, and has since been a dedicated advocate for expanding gun safety laws. In Congress, Debbie served as a Vice Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and as a Member of the Judiciary Committee she helped pass landmark legislation through the House to expand background checks on all gun sales and close loopholes in America’s gun laws that put victims of domestic abuse at risk. Debbie also worked to increase consistent, long-term investments in community violence intervention programs But self-serving politicians like Rick Scott continue to play politics in Washington and put the gun lobby before the safety of Florida’s families.
PUTTING NATIONAL SECURITY & DEMOCRACY FIRST
America is the strongest nation in the world, with workers and an economy that can out-compete any nation. We must maintain American strength and competitiveness. Debbie knows that starts with defending democracy abroad as authoritarian regimes across the world like Nicaragua and Russia brutalize their own populations, wage destructive wars, and threaten international stability.
That’s why Debbie stands against the dictatorships in Cuba and Venezuela and has always fought for freedom for oppressed peoples. In 2023 as the Senior Advisor to the Summit of the Americas, she led the successful push to ban Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela from the Summit of the Americas, because she believes these illegitimate regimes should never be normalized. She also stands against Vladimir Putin’s unacceptable aggression in Ukraine.
Debbie supports Israel, our closest ally in the Middle East, and has called for aid to be delivered immediately to Israel and to the innocent civilians in Gaza who are suffering under a terrorist organization.
Debbie will also stand up to China’s harmful trade practices that hurt American businesses, and she supports tough trade policies that protect Florida’s workers and businesses. In the Senate, Debbie will ensure Florida’s trade-centric economy is strong and resilient.
PROTECTING WOMEN’S RIGHTS TO HEALTHCARE AND ABORTION
Debbie knows that the decision to have an abortion is a decision that must be made between a woman, her family, and her doctor — not extremist politicians who want to criminalize health care providers. She knows the abortion bans that have passed across the country, including the radical six week ban in Florida, are putting women’s lives at risk by increasing the risk of maternal mortality and ultimately stripping them of their fundamental freedoms. As a mother to two daughters, Debbie is committed to fighting to protect every woman’s right to make the decision that is best for them. Meanwhile, extremist Rick Scott cosponsored a national abortion ban in the Senate and enthusiastically threw his support behind the six week ban in Florida before most women know they are pregnant. Debbie trusts Floridians – not Rick Scott – to make their own health care decisions.
More Information
Wikipedia
Debbie Jessika Mucarsel-Powell (/ˈmuːkɑːrsɛl/ MOO-kar-sell; born January 18, 1971)[1] is an American politician and academic administrator who served as the U.S. representative for Florida’s 26th congressional district from 2019 to 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, her district covered the southern part of Miami-Dade County, including Homestead, as well as the Florida Keys.
Mucarsel-Powell was the first Ecuadorian-American and first South American-born immigrant to serve as a member of the U.S. Congress. She was defeated in her 2020 re-election bid by Miami-Dade County mayor Carlos Giménez.
Before entering politics, Mucarsel-Powell worked for various non-profits including the Hope Center, Zoo Miami Foundation, and the Coral Restoration Foundation. She was the associate vice president for advancement and later an associate dean at the FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.
In August 2023, Mucarsel-Powell announced she would be running in the 2024 United States Senate election in Florida against incumbent Republican Rick Scott.[2] She won the Democratic primary for the seat on August 20, 2024.
Early life and education
Mucarsel-Powell was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and raised in Miami, Florida, the daughter of Imelda Gil and Guido Mucarsel Yunes. Mucarsel-Powell immigrated to the United States when she was 14 years old with her mother and three older sisters. She began working in a doughnut shop and continued to work to help support her family, who shared a one bedroom apartment.[3] Her father had been shot to death in Ecuador by a criminal.
Mucarsel-Powell attended Pomona Catholic High School in Pomona, California, graduating in 1988. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Pitzer College in 1992 and a Master of Arts in international political economy from Claremont Graduate University in 1996.[4]
Earlier career
Mucarsel-Powell worked for non-profits including the Hope Center, Zoo Miami Foundation, and the Coral Restoration Foundation.[5][6] From 2003 to 2007, she served as the director of development at Florida International University (FIU). She was the associate vice president for advancement at the FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine from 2007 to 2011.[7] Mucarsel-Powell became an associate dean at the FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.[5][6]
Mucarsel-Powell volunteered for the presidential campaigns of John Kerry and Barack Obama. In 2016, she ran unsuccessfully against Anitere Flores for the Florida Senate.[8]
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
2018
In August 2017, Mucarsel-Powell announced she would challenge Republican Rep. Carlos Curbelo in Florida’s 26th congressional district of the United States House of Representatives in the 2018 elections.[9] She defeated veteran Demetries Grimes in the Democratic Party primary election, receiving 63.5% of the vote.[10]
In the November 6 general election, Mucarsel-Powell defeated Curbelo, receiving 50.9% of the vote,[11] becoming the first Ecuadorian-born person to be elected to the United States Congress and the first woman to represent Florida’s 26th congressional district.[3][12]
2020
Mucarsel-Powell was defeated for re-election by the Republican nominee, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Giménez.[13]
Tenure
On December 18, 2019, Mucarsel-Powell voted to impeach President Donald Trump.[14]
Committee assignments
Source: Clerk of the House of Representatives[15]
Caucus memberships
- Congressional Animal Protection Caucus[4]
- Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues[16]
- Congressional Hispanic Caucus[17]
- Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus[18]
- Congressional Progressive Caucus[19]
- New Democrat Coalition[20]
Post-congressional career
In April 2021, Mucarsel-Powell joined Giffords as a senior adviser, intending to lobby the U.S. Senate to pass the Bipartisan Background Checks Act.[21]
2024 U.S. Senate campaign
Mucarsel-Powell is the Democratic nominee for the 2024 U.S. Senate election. She is challenging incumbent Republican Rick Scott.[2]
Personal life
Mucarsel-Powell is of Ecuadorian and Lebanese ancestry and is a Roman Catholic.[22][23] When she was 24 years old, her father was killed outside of his home in Ecuador by a gunman.[24][25] She and her husband, Robert Powell, have three children.[26]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Anitere Flores (incumbent) | 97,343 | 54.24 | |
| Democratic | Debbie Mucarsel-Powell | 82,117 | 45.76 | |
| Total votes | 179,460 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Debbie Mucarsel-Powell | 20,997 | 63.5 | |
| Democratic | Demetries Grimes | 12,095 | 36.5 | |
| Total votes | 33,092 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Debbie Mucarsel-Powell | 119,797 | 50.9 | |
| Republican | Carlos Curbelo (incumbent) | 115,678 | 49.1 | |
| Total votes | 235,475 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Carlos A. Giménez | 177,211 | 51.7 | |
| Democratic | Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (incumbent) | 165,377 | 48.3 | |
| Total votes | 342,588 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican gain from Democratic | ||||
See also
- List of Arab and Middle Eastern Americans in the United States Congress
- List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
References
- ^ Florida New Members 2019, The Hill
- ^ a b Wang, Amy; Sotomayer, Mariana; Leigh Ann, Caldwell. “Former Democratic congresswoman to challenge Rick Scott for Florida Senate seat”. The Washington Post. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
- ^ a b “Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, la primera ecuatoriana elegida al Congreso de EEUU”. La República EC (in Spanish). November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
- ^ a b “Debbie Mucarsel-Powell”. Official Congressional Directory. July 22, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
- ^ a b “Carlos Curbelo Gets Democratic Challenger Who Emigrated from Ecuador”. Roll Call. August 2, 2017. Archived from the original on November 8, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
- ^ a b “Two Latinos, Carlos Curbelo and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell battle for Florida congressional seat”. NBC News. October 3, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
- ^ “Debbie Mucarsel-Powell’s Biography”. Vote Smart. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
- ^ Clark, Lesley (October 5, 2018). “Democratic activist wants to be part of Florida’s blue wave | McClatchy Washington Bureau”. McClatchyDC. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
- ^ “Curbelo draws Democratic challenger in swing Florida district”. Miami Herald. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
- ^ Greenwood, Max (August 28, 2018). “Former educator secures Democratic nod to challenge Curbelo in Florida”. The Hill. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
- ^ “Florida Election Results: 26th House District”. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
- ^ Killion, Ann. “The Latest: Nelson campaign supporting recount ‘to win’“. San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
- ^ Dixon, Matt (November 4, 2020). “Republican Gimenez unseats Democrat Mucarsel-Powell in Florida House race”. Politico. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
- ^ “WHIP COUNT: Here’s which members of the House voted for and against impeaching Trump”. Business Insider.
- ^ “Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives – Official Alphabetical List”. clerk.house.gov. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
- ^ “The Women’s Caucus”. Women’s Congressional Policy Institute. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
- ^ “Members”. Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Archived from the original on November 12, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
- ^ “Members”. LGBT Equality Caucus. Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
- ^ “Congressional Progressive Caucus : Caucus Members”. Congressional Progressive Caucus. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
- ^ “Members”. New Democrat Coalition. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
- ^ “Latina ex-Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell takes new role on personal mission: Gun control”. NBC News. April 6, 2021.
- ^ “Religious affiliation of members of 117th Congress” (PDF). PEW Research Center. January 24, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
- ^ Gamboa, Suzanne (November 7, 2018). “Latino, minority voters helped drive Democrats’ gains in U.S. House, experts say”. NBC News. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
- ^ Mucha, Sarah (March 22, 2018). “Dem candidate recounts her history with gun violence in new ad to air during gun control march”. CNN. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
- ^ “She’s an immigrant who lost her father to gun violence. Now she’s in Congress”. CNN. February 4, 2019.
- ^ “Meet Debbie”. Debbie Mucarsel Powell. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
External links
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Appearances on C-SPAN
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