Politics
Conservative Champion Riley Gaines Leads Empowerment Charge at Orlando’s First Annual Women’s Rights Conference
ORLANDO, Florida (FNN) – The Leadership Institute held Orlando’s inaugural Women’s Empowerment Conference at the Rosen Centre, with Senior Director Angela Faulkner serving as MC and Attorney Vennia Francois as Event Chair. The event inspired over 500 attendees with a powerful message on women’s rights.
The event kicked off with a welcome reception, bringing together local politicians, community leaders, and out-of-town guests for an evening of networking and celebration.
Notable among the attendees was Congressman Cory Mills, who energized the audience with a speech emphasizing the essential role of men as protectors and allies in the fight for gender equity.
Mills’ powerful words, “Boys by Birth, Men by Age, and Gentlemen by Choice,” resonated deeply, reinforcing the event’s theme of mutual respect between men and women.
Event Chair Attorney Vennia Francois and Keynote Speaker Riley Gaines led the discussion on defending women’s sports at the 2024 Leadership Institute’s Embracing Womanhood Conference. Photo by J Willie David, III / Florida National News.
Keynote speaker Riley Gaines, a 12x All-American swimmer and outspoken advocate for maintaining single-sex spaces in women’s sports, took center stage. She was joined by other prominent figures, including detransitioner Chloe Cole, Florida Congresswomen Laurel Lee and Kat Cammack, Florida State Senator Erin Grall, State Representatives Rachel Plakon, Karen Gonzalez-Pittman, and Kaylee Tuck, former State Representative Deborah Tamargo, Orange County School Board Member Alicia Farrant, Event Chair Attorney Vennia Francois, South Dakota State Senator-Elect Amber Hulse, and Moms for Liberty Co-Founder Tina Descovich. Each speaker delivered compelling messages about the urgent need to protect women’s rights, particularly concerning Title IX, women’s sports and spaces.
The Leadership Institute also hosted panel discussions on five critical topics:
- Women’s Voices in Leadership
- Parental Rights
- Defending Women’s Spaces
- Civic Engagement in the Real World
- Gen Z: The Voices of Future Leaders
A key concern voiced by the speakers was the threat posed by changes to Title IX, which could jeopardize women’s opportunities in sports and compromise safety in private spaces like locker rooms and bathrooms. Gaines warned, “If men are allowed to enter female sports, female sports will no longer exist. If men are allowed in women’s private spaces, those spaces and women’s safety will cease to exist as well.”
In a nod to the historic women’s suffrage movement, attendees wore white and purple sashes emblazoned with the hashtag #XX≠XY, underscoring the importance of preserving women’s rights. Purple, symbolizing unity, was a dominant color throughout the event, along with a resounding call for courage.
Gaines reminded the audience, “Being courageous doesn’t mean you’re free from fear; it means standing up for what’s right in spite of it.”
The event also featured personal stories of resilience and empowerment. Hollywood actress Roxanne Hoge shared her story of overcoming adversity, encouraging women to stand firm in their beliefs and rise above challenges. Performances by artist Stefan Otto, dancers, and inspirational films, such as “Sacred Journey of Womanhood” by actress and producer Jenny Rosario, added emotional depth to the event.
Vendors lined the venue, offering patriotic apparel, athletic wear, and motivational merchandise. A special highlight was the meet-and-greet with Riley Gaines, where young women had the chance to receive personal advice and take photos with the champion athlete.
Photo by Florida National News
The conference concluded with the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem, and a color guard ceremony, driving home the message that this is not just a partisan issue, but an American issue. Organizers echoed suffragist leader Millicent Fawcett’s words: “Courage calls to courage,” as Orlando’s women stand united in protecting women’s rights and spaces.
Central Florida News
Puerto Rican Chamber President Jorge Figueroa Announces Bid for House District 47 Seat in Osceola County
OCALA, Fla. (FNN) — Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, now officially a candidate for Florida Governor, continued his early statewide outreach with a keynote appearance at the Achievement Week Banquet at the College of Central Florida on November 15. Demings attended as a special guest alongside his wife, former U.S. Congresswoman Val Demings.
The event, hosted by the Friendship and Faith Foundation, Inc. and the Psi Chi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., centered on the theme “Honoring Our Legacy, Empowering Our Future.” Ocala was one of several stops following Demings’ recent kickoff event in Orlando as he works to introduce his platform to voters across the state.
Demings Ramps Up Statewide Voter Outreach
Following his launch, Demings and Val Demings have begun traveling across Florida to connect with local voters, community leaders, clergy, and elected officials. Ocala represented a strategic stop as the campaign aims to build momentum in Central and North Florida—regions essential for any Democratic path to victory.
File – U.S. Representative Val Demings (D-10, Florida) spoke during Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings’s COVID-19 press conference at Orange County Emergency Operations Center, providing an update about the House passing the Family First Coronavirus Act Saturday, March 14, 2020. Photo: Willie David/Florida National News.
Fundraising Will Be Critical for Competitive Primary Run
Demings enters the race facing an expensive and competitive Democratic primary in August. His campaign will require substantial financial backing to match better-funded opponents and reach voters statewide.
He benefits from the political star power of Val Demings, who brings statewide and national recognition after her high-profile 2022 U.S. Senate campaign, during which she raised approximately $80 million. Her network is expected to be a major asset as fundraising efforts intensify.
Two of the most notable Democratic candidates in Florida’s 2026 gubernatorial race are former U.S. Congressman David Jolly and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings
Crowded Gubernatorial Field Presents Challenges
Demings will face Democrat David Jolly (see above photo) and other emerging candidates in the primary. Jolly, a former Republican who became a Democrat, has slowly built early support and fundraising momentum with endorsements from several Democratic leaders prior to Demings’ entry.
Three of the most notable Republic candidates in Florida’s 2026 gubernatorial race are US Congressman Byron Donalds, Lt. Governor Jay Collins and Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner.
On the Republican side, candidates such as Byron Donalds (endorsed by US President Doanld Trump) are leading in fundraising efforts, bolstered by the GOP’s advantage of 1.4 million more registered voters than Democrats statewide—an obstacle any Democratic nominee must overcome.
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J Willie David, III | News@FloridaNationalNews.com
Central Florida News
Former State Senator Victor Torres Files for Newly Created Orange County Commission District 8 Seat
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN ) – According to the Orange County Supervisor of Elections website, former Florida State Senator Victor Torres, Jr. has officially filed paperwork to run for the newly created Orange County Commission District 8 seat (11/10/2025) — one of two new districts added as part of the county’s historic expansion of its governing board.
Veteran Lawmaker Eyes County-Level Leadership
At 78 years old, (born July 22, 1947) Torres is making a return to public service at the local level after more than a decade of elected leadership in the Florida Legislature, where he served in both the House of Representatives and the State Senate. Known for his advocacy on transportation, veterans’ affairs, and working-class families, Torres brings extensive legislative experience and name recognition to the race.
The former senator’s entry marks the first high-profile candidacy for the newly formed District 8 seat. However, Torres is expected to face additional challengers, including other prominent community leaders seeking to represent the new commission district.
Early Opponent: Tatiana Fernández
Torres will face Tatiana Fernández, who was the first to file for the race (10/29/2025). Fernández is a political newcomer and former aide to Florida State Representative Daisy Morales. She previously ran an unsuccessful campaign for Florida’s 7th Congressional District, but has remained active in community initiatives and local outreach efforts.
The matchup between Torres and Fernández sets the stage for an engaging race that contrasts legislative experience with fresh perspective in one of Orange County’s fastest-growing regions.
Overview: New Orange County Commission Districts 7 and 8
The Orange County Commission expanded from six to eight districts following population growth revealed in the 2020 U.S. Census and the adoption of new district boundaries. The addition of Districts 7 and 8 aims to ensure more equitable representation for residents across Central Florida’s diverse and expanding communities.
District 7 includes portions of northwest Orange County, designed to represent urban neighborhoods and fast-developing residential zones.
District 8, where Torres has filed to run, covers southern and southeastern Orange County, encompassing areas of rapid growth, economic development, and suburban expansion.
The 2026 local elections will mark the first time voters in these new districts elect their representatives to the Orange County Board of Commissioners.
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J Willie David, III | News@FloridaNationalNews.com
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