Clubs leader pushes unity in Broward

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 28, 2000

The power struggle over who will lead Broward County's umbrella group for its Democratic clubs is over, and an unexpected victor -- one preaching party unity -- has emerged.

Thomas K. Gallagher, 43, president of the Pembroke Pines Democratic Club, was elected Saturday as leader of the Council of Presidents.

The vote had been preceded by a nasty squabble that pitted the old guard in Broward Democratic politics -- many of them 60-plus -- and a challenger who is young enough to be their son.

Randy Fleischer, an upstart 40-year-old of the Broward Young Democrats club, had challenged the traditional path to power, a progression through lesser posts before attaining the presidency. His opponent, and heir apparent to the position, was 80-year-old Mae Schreiber.

On Saturday, both Fleischer and Schreiber were nominated for the presidency, as was Gallagher, who said his platform speech was key to his subsequent election.

"I said, "If I am elected, unity of our party and organization will be my primary goal,' " Gallagher said. "I think that was appealing to everyone in that group."

Gallagher, a partner in the Fort Lauderdale office of the law firm Ruden, McClosky, Smith, Schuster & Russell, P.A., is a lifelong Democrat and an active member of the Broward County Democratic Party. He has been a member of the Broward Democratic Executive Committee for several years in addition to holding numerous positions in the Pembroke Pines Democratic Club.

The next item of business, Gallagher said, is to put aside any lingering animosity and get ready for the November elections.

"I am beginning to feel that the storm is over," Gallagher said.

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