Democratic U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood of Illinois will headline Ruth’s List Florida’s 2026 “Betting on Florida” conference and gala in Aventura as the organization gears up for this year’s elections.
The social welfare nonprofit announced its gala lineup this week, positioning Underwood, a nationally recognized advocate for women and families, as the event’s keynote speaker.
Organizers said her appearance will underscore the group’s focus on expanding the pipeline of pro-abortion rights Democratic women candidates ahead of a pivotal Midterm.
Underwood made national news in recent months as a central architect of Democrats’ strategy to reclaim the U.S. House in 2026, drawing directly on lessons from the party’s 2018 Midterm wave, when she first won office.
She has emphasized recruiting candidates with deep community ties and public-service backgrounds who can credibly contrast themselves with “MAGA extremists” and framed the current cycle as echoing 2018, when women, veterans and first-time candidates stepped forward organically in response to Trump-era politics.
She said in a statement that she is “honored” to cap off the gala’s festivities.
“As we look ahead to the next election cycles and the work that still needs to be done,” she said, “I’m proud to stand with an organization that is growing the bench and expanding opportunity.”
The March 6 event will also feature several prominent Miami-Dade County Democrats, including Daniella Levine Cava and Eileen Higgins, who made history by being elected the first woman Mayor of Miami-Dade County and Miami, respectively, in 2020 and 2025.
Levine Cava and Higgins are set to take part in a daytime “Alumnae in Action” panel, sponsored by the Florida Alliance and moderated by Miami-Dade Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins. The two Mayors are also the official sponsors of the gala’s afterparty, which kicks off at 10 p.m.
Beyond the gala, the conference portion of the event will offer hands-on training sessions aimed at candidates and campaign professionals. Workshops will cover campaign infrastructure, fundraising, paid media and messaging, led by operatives from firms including Blue Velocity, EDGE Communications, GW Strategies and Statecraft Media.
Ruth’s List Florida CEO Christina Diamond said in a statement that the lineup reflects both the organization’s national reach and its deep Florida roots.
“This conference and gala reflect what Ruth’s List Florida is all about — building real power for women who are ready to lead,” she said. “From nationally recognized voices like Congresswoman Underwood to Florida leaders who are delivering results right now, this lineup represents both where we are and where we’re going.”
Ruth’s List Florida’s conference and campaign training programming begins at 9 a.m. The gala and casino night starts at 6 p.m.
For ticketing, sponsorship, lodging and training information, among other things, click here.
