Politics
Carmen Torres and Daisy Morales’s primary losses threaten Puerto Rican political power in Central Florida
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – The recent legislative primaries in Central Florida have marked a pivotal shift in the region’s political landscape, signaling a potential decline in Puerto Rican influence. Tuesday’s night defeats of two prominent Puerto Rican candidates, Carmen Torres and Daisy Morales, have raised concerns about the future of Hispanic representation in an area where non-Hispanic candidates are increasingly winning in districts with significant Hispanic populations.
Approximately 1.2 million Puerto Ricans live in Florida, with the largest concentration in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties, making them a significant voting bloc in the state.
In 2016, Puerto Rican political power in Florida reached its peak, with representation at all levels: a seat in the U.S. Congress (D), one in the State Senate (D), and four in the State House (2 Democrats and 2 Republicans).
In Senate District 25, State Representative Kristen Arrington, who is white, flipped a historically Puerto Rican seat, defeating Carmen Torres, the wife of outgoing Senator Victor Torres. Arrington’s victory effectively ended a political dynasty that the Torres family had maintained within Central Florida’s Hispanic communities for nearly a decade.
Carmen Torres had strongly emphasized the importance of Hispanic representation in the Senate District 25 race, yet the Torres chose to endorse white candidates over Puerto Rican candidates running for House Districts within the Senate district.
– BALLOTPEDIA – CARMEN TORRES
“I am the only Hispanic Democratic candidate for this majority Hispanic seat, ensuring I can effectively communicate with and represent all constituents.”
The approach of Puerto Rican leaders endorsing white candidates while advocating for the election of more Hispanics to state office may lead to confusion among Spanish-speaking voters at the polls and could hinder efforts to increase Hispanic representation in Central Florida. This strategy could also have unintended consequences in elections for Governor, Attorney General, CFO, Commissioner of Agriculture, as well as congressional and presidential races.
State Rep. Daisy Morales sponsored House Resolution HR 8069 recognizes April 2nd as “Puerto Ricans Heritage Day” in Florida. Photo by Daisy Morales’ Facebook Page (District 44 Candidate)
The outcome of this race, combined with the defeat of former State Representative Daisy Morales, has raised concerns about the diminishing political influence of Puerto Ricans in the region. Morales, once the highest-ranking Puerto Rican woman in Florida, lost her seat as a result of backlash from Samuel Vilchez Santiago’s supporters, whom she defeated in the 2020 State House race. Influential groups like the Torres family, Alianza For Progress, and United For Progress played a significant role in this, further weakening Puerto Rican representation in Florida’s legislature.
In 2022, Lopez and Santiago may have achieved their revenge, but it came at a significant cost to Puerto Rican representation at the state level, including the failure to win back the House District 44 seat and the Senate District 25 seat in 2024.
Political attacks and disinformation campaigns targeting Morales provided white contenders with a strategy to defeat Hispanic candidates. In the Senate race, an external group launched questionable political mailers accusing Carmen Torres’ donors of being aligned with Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, and major insurance corporations. “Torres: Essentially a Republican, the mailer claimed.”
Endorsements: The Torres family is a political dynasty within Central Florida.
Adding to the controversy, the Torres family endorsed white candidates—Tom Keen in House District 35 and Jennifer Rita Harris in House District 44—over two prominent Puerto Rican candidates, Marucci Guzmán and Daisy Morales.
Advocating for Latinos in Central Florida, Marucci Guzman speaks to local news media (District 35 Candidate)
This decision has sparked debates over the implications of such endorsements, particularly in a district with a large Hispanic population. The Torres family’s history of endorsing non-Hispanic candidates over Hispanic contenders has contributed to a growing trend where Hispanic voters are increasingly supporting white, Black, and Asian candidates, particularly in races like those in House Districts 35, 44, 46, 47 and, Senate District 25.
Shift: White Candidates Are Winning More State Seats
Puerto Rican Political Power Faces Decline as White Representation at the State Level Dominate in Central Florida
As non-Hispanic candidates (Reps Tom Keen (D-35), Kristina Arrington (D-46), Jennifer Rita Harris (D-44) and Paula Stark (R-47)) continue to gain ground in districts with significant Hispanic populations, the Puerto Rican community in Central Florida faces the risk of political extinction. The recent primary results underscore the challenges ahead for Puerto Rican candidates and the broader Hispanic community as they navigate a shifting political landscape.
FORT MYERS, Fla. (FNN) — President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a midterm rally in Fort Myers on Friday, Oct. 23, bringing his campaign efforts to the congressional district represented by his endorsed candidate for Florida governor, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds.
Donalds, the Republican nominee, faces Democrat David Jolly in the Nov. 3 election. If elected, Donalds would become Florida’s first Black governor, succeeding term-limited Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds speaks at a Turning Point Action event in Florida. Photo by Roman Garay / Florida National News.
Rally Set for Oct. 23
Trump’s remarks are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., with doors opening at 10:30 a.m., according to the Republican Party’s event registration page. All times are Eastern.
Gulf Coast News reports that the rally will take place at Alico Arena at Florida Gulf Coast University. However, the official GOP registration page still lists the venue as “To Be Announced.” Attendees should check that page for confirmation and updates.
Prominent conservative figures, including Tucker Carlson, then-former President Donald Trump, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds and Megyn Kelly, rallied Republican voters during the Turning Point Action Conference at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, July 15-16, 2023.
Photo by Roman D. Garay / Florida National News.
Trump’s Endorsement Connects President to Historic Bid
Trump has endorsed Donalds, whose campaign lists the president among its prominent Republican supporters. The Fort Myers visit places Trump in Donalds’ Southwest Florida political base during the closing weeks of the election.
Following his primary victory, Donalds acknowledged Trump’s influence among Republican voters.
“Obviously, he has the strongest following of anybody in our party,” Donalds said, according to Associated Press reporting.
A Donalds victory would give Florida its first Black governor and extend Republican leadership in the governor’s office. Trump’s endorsement connects the president to that potentially historic outcome, although the rally announcement does not identify the event as exclusively supporting Donalds.
Republican Unity and Voter Turnout
Donalds called for Republicans to unite after the primary, telling supporters, “Tonight we are one united Republican Party,” according to the AP.
The Fort Myers rally will provide Trump another platform to address supporters ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections. The published event announcement confirms his appearance but does not list additional speakers.
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