Hillsborough Democrats Host Kennedy-King Gala Amidst Keynote Speaker Cancellation
The Hillsborough County Democratic Party held its annual Kennedy-King Gala on August 8th at the Westshore Grand Hotel in Tampa. The event proceeded as planned despite the last-minute cancellation of its keynote speaker, Michael Blake, who withdrew due to backlash…
Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, August 10, 2026 —
The Hillsborough County Democratic Party’s annual Kennedy-King Gala took place on August 8th at the Westshore Grand Hotel in Tampa. The event proceeded as scheduled, though it faced a late change in its lineup.
Michael Blake, who was slated to deliver the keynote address, withdrew from the event shortly before it was to occur. The reason cited for his cancellation was backlash stemming from his criticisms of AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
Despite the absence of the keynote speaker, the gala, a traditional gathering for the local Democratic Party, went forward as planned. The event is typically held to honor the legacies of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. and to bring together party members and supporters. Specific details regarding alternative speakers or adjustments to the program following Blake’s withdrawal were not immediately available.
The Westshore Grand Hotel served as the venue for the gathering. Further information about the gala’s attendance or any specific outcomes from the event was not provided in the summary.
Story summarized from the original created by Colin Wolf and Dave Decker on www.cltampa.com, see more information here.
