Hi John,

My name is Annette Taddeo. I’m a Democratic state Senator in Florida and a candidate for governor against Ron DeSantis.

My very being here, writing this email, is unlikely. As a little girl growing up in Colombia with a bilateral cleft lip, few people would have thought I'd ever be a candidate for governor in a major U.S. state.

Well, my dad would have. He was a fighter pilot in WWII and he always believed in me. He gave me the fighting spirit that I carry with me every day as I fight against Ron DeSantis’ bigoted administration.

That’s my dad and me on the left. Due to my bilateral cleft lip, I needed 19 surgeries just to be able to smile.

This photo brings up so many memories, John.

A few years after this was taken, my family’s farm was overtaken by Marxist terrorists and we had to flee to the United States. That’s where I had my final surgery done to correct my bilateral cleft lip – in Miami – between my junior and senior year of high school.

I learned English, waited tables through school, and started a company that became one of the most successful small businesses in Florida. In 2017, I flipped a battleground state Senate seat from red to blue and now I am the best positioned candidate to take on Ron DeSantis.

I can’t help but imagine what would have happened if I hadn’t received those critical surgeries to address my bilateral cleft lip. Not being able to speak clearly or smile? It’s unthinkable.

There are Floridians up and down the state who are struggling to afford healthcare. Who have a sick family member. Who don’t know how they’ll make next month’s rent. I believe in them, John, like my father always believed in me.

I’m running for governor because I believe we can do so much more to make Florida a state for everyone, not just a select few at the top.

Will you join me, John? A $5 contribution would mean so much to this grassroots effort.

Together,

Annette