Democracy for America, the liberal political action committee that is the offshoot of the 2004 presidential campaign of former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean (D), announced on Tuesday that it has endorsed businesswoman Annette Taddeo (D) in her race against Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R).

“Annette Taddeo is a strong, independent thinker whose years of experience as an entrepreneur and community leader make her the progressive choice in this election,” DFA Chairman Jim Dean — Howard Dean’s brother — said in a statement.

For the first time in years, Democrats are pressing hard to defeat the three Cuban-American Republicans who represent South Florida Congressional districts: Ros-Lehtinen and Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart and Lincoln Diaz-Balart.

DFA said it has already raised $35,000 for Miami-Dade County Democratic Party Chairman Joe Garcia, the challenger to Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart.