After a surprising six Floridians appeared on the Democratic National Convention podium Wednesday, two more will today, including a Longwood pastor who will deliver the closing benediction for the gathering.

Joel Hunter, senior pastor of Longwood’s Northland, a Church Distributed, who will deliver the benediction, has an interesting recent history.

In 2006, he was national president-elect of the Christian Coaliton, meaning he was in line to assume leadership of the organization, long a leader in the religious conservative movement. But Hunter stepped down from that position, saying the organization resisted his efforts to direct it more toward humanitarian concerns and environmental issues.

He also has been involved recently in efforts by the Democratic Party to reach out to religious conservatives, including emphasizing what he contends is language in the party platform more conciliatory to abortion opponents.

Janet Lynn Monaco of Melbourne, a former pet store owner, met Obama during a town hall campaign event in Titusville. According to the campaign, she lost her home in the recent economic bust and has no health insurance to help with her diabetes.

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