Daniel Liftman, who worked for decades as a staffer to late Democratic U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, died Tuesday in West Palm Beach after a long illness, the office of state Rep. Jervone “Tae” Edmonds said.
He was 73.
Liftman spent 32 years serving the people of South Florida while working under Hastings, who passed away in April 2021.
At the time, Hastings was the longest-serving member of Florida’s congressional delegation. And for Hastings’ entire tenure in Washington, Liftman was there.
Born in Massachusetts on Dec. 5, 1951, Daniel Arthur Liftman was the only son of Samuel and Doris Liftman. He went on to earn an associate degree in theater arts from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in 1971 and a bachelor’s in communications from Georgia Southern University in 1973.
Documents from the latter institution listed him as a member of the College Union Board, alongside other students.
Liftman began working for Hastings before the Congressman won office and continued doing so after. On his LinkedIn page, Liftman said of his regular responsibilities, “I do casework, write letters, do constituent outreach and represent the congressman at events large and small.”
He described himself as a political consultant, public speaking trainer and writer. As specialties, he listed, “Clever slogans, signs and advertising strategies.”
Described as “a very honorable man who quietly devoted his life to community and government service” in an online obituary, Liftman was eloquent and incisive when he chose to speak out.
In 2012, he was prominently quoted in coverage of the flap over Evelyn Garcia, a Florida Democrat who resigned her Democratic National Committee position over harshly critical emails about Israel.
A decade later, after Alcee’s death, Liftman penned a op-ed for the Palm Beach Post, lambasting a letter the outlet published from a reader who described liberal views as mostly informed by “hate (of) anything the Republicans do.”
“Who wouldn’t appreciate” Gov. Ron DeSantis’ disdain for mask mandates during the pandemic, Donald Trump’s “encouragement of the mob that staged an insurrection” and the Republican-led Congress’ refusal “to support legislation that would remove restrictive laws that make it more difficult for minorities, the poor and disabled people to vote?” he wrote, sarcastically.
Liftman’s public Facebook page, which has some 3,700 followers, features the William Shakespeare line, “This above all else; to thine own self be true,” on its header.
Several friends and followers published posts expressing concern about Liftman’s well-being around mid-June after being unable to contact him.
On Nov. 13, two days after Liftman died, Palm Tran Senior Manager of Legislative and Government Affairs Deborah Posey-Blocker published a post confirming Liftman had died.
“It is with a heavy heart that, on behalf of his family, we are devastated to share the passing of our dear friend, Dan Liftman,” she wrote, adding that while Liftman is to be buried in his home state of Massachusetts, a celebration of his life will be held locally in December. “We will share those details as soon as they are available. Rest in Peace, Dan — you will be missed more than words can express.
Delray Beach education consultant Jeannett Manzanero wrote of how she’d gotten to know Liftman at several Palm Beach County Democratic fundraisers.
“He was always willing to represent the congressman’s office to any even we invited him at the college to raise awareness of the plight of immigrant students and their families,” she wrote. “Always great company Mr. Liftman. A truly fair man of justice. Rest in peace, friend to all!”
Liftman is survived by several first cousins and their spouses. He will be laid to rest with family in the Tifereth Israel Cemetery in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, in a private, family burial.
