Bloomberg’s donation supports ongoing efforts in Black and Brown communities across Central and South Florida

MIAMI—Mike Bloomberg announced today a $1 million contribution to Take Back 2020, a political program with hundreds of Florida hospitality workers from UNITE HERE canvassing door-to-door to get out the vote ahead of the 2020 election.

UNITE HERE Florida’s efforts are based in Central and South Florida and largely run by laid-off hospitality workers. In 2016, Donald Trump won Florida by a margin of just 1%, while half a million Democrats in South and Central Florida did not vote.

UNITE HERE’s Take Back 2020 campaign uses its resources— including Mike Bloomberg’s contribution — to make that critical one percent difference. They mobilize voters in counties where union members live and work, and in return inspire more Floridians to get out the vote.

“Union workers helped build the American middle class – it’s unconscionable that millions now find themselves out of work and unable to put food on the table for their families as a result of this economic crisis,” said Mike Bloomberg. “Joe Biden understands that these hardworking men and women are the backbone of the American economy and I’m glad to work with UNITE HERE and union workers from across Florida to make him the next president of the United States.”

This is part of Mike Bloomberg’s commitment to spend $100 million in Florida to support Vice President Joe Biden in defeating Donald Trump through advertising and a strong ground game to get out the vote in communities across Florida.

Canvassers are, by majority, Black and Latinx women living and working in target communities in Miami-Dade, Broward, Osceola, Orange, Seminole, and Polk counties. They are among 700 laid-off hospitality workers who are committing their time to this election by canvassing or volunteering to conduct voter outreach via phone and text message.

“I’m canvassing because receiving unemployment benefits in Florida has been a complete disaster,” said Sabino Jarquin, server at La Pausa, Areas USA at Miami International Airport. “Going door to door is not easy. It’s hot, humid, and rainy, but that’s not going to stop me. Canvassing will make people go out and vote. We will defeat Trump. We are grateful for the support of Mr. Bloomberg and for his recognition of the work we’re doing to make the critical difference in Florida.”

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UNITE HERE is a labor union with over 300,000 worker members in the North American hospitality industry. UNITE HERE Florida comprises three chapters — UNITE HERE Local 355 Miami, UNITE HERE Local 362 Orlando, and UNITE HERE 737 Orlando — and has members working in airports, hotels, casinos, stadiums and arenas across the state. At the peak of the pandemic, over 98% of UNITE HERE members were unemployed, and 75% are still out of work today. UNITE HERE members are canvassing on the ground in support of Joe Biden in Florida, Nevada, Arizona, and Pennsylvania.