ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Former Florida State Representative Daisy Morales has officially qualified to run for Florida House District 43, launching a People First Campaign focused on affordability, public safety, economic opportunity, education, and responsive government.

Morales, who represented Florida House District 48 from 2020 to 2022, enters the race with a legislative record that continues to benefit Floridians. During her first term, she sponsored and supported legislation that became state law, helping veterans, seniors, individuals with disabilities, consumers, small businesses, and working families.

“Floridians are struggling with rising costs, housing affordability challenges, skyrocketing insurance premiums, and economic uncertainty,” Morales said. “I am running because the people deserve a representative who puts their needs ahead of politics and delivers real results.”

House District 43 includes portions of East Orlando and communities previously represented by Morales before Florida’s 2022 redistricting process.

A Record of Results

As a freshman lawmaker, Morales sponsored legislation that was enacted into Florida law, including:

• HB 13 (2022) — Expanded property tax relief for qualifying widows, widowers, blind persons, and permanently disabled Floridians.

• HB 45 (2022) — Helped close gaps in federal G.I. Bill educational benefits for veterans and military families.

• HB 213 (2022) — Created Florida’s first Down Syndrome specialty license plate.

• HB 855 (2021) — Expanded workforce opportunities through barber services reform.

• HB 857 (2021) — Strengthened consumer protections against harassing telemarketing calls.

Morales also sponsored House Resolution 8069, recognizing April 2 as Puerto Rican Heritage Day in Florida.

Leadership During Crisis

During her term, Morales became known for advocating for residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, calling for additional government response, addressing affordability concerns, organizing food distributions and job fairs, and helping families access critical resources and services.

“Leadership matters most during difficult times,” Morales said. “Public service is about helping people when they need it most.”

Proven Electoral Success

In 2020, Morales won both the Democratic primary and general election for Florida House District 48. She successfully campaigned on a message of community-focused leadership and practical solutions for residents.

“The people deserve a strong voice in Tallahassee,” Morales said. “This campaign is about putting people first and delivering results that improve everyday life.”

People First Agenda

If elected, Morales said her priorities will include:

• Affordability and cost-of-living relief

• Public safety initiatives

• Workforce and economic development

• Veterans and military family support

• Senior services

• Consumer protection

• Educational opportunities

Morales also announced plans to reintroduce legislation establishing a statewide Active Shooter Alert System and pursue additional affordability-focused measures aimed at helping Florida families.

“For more than 30 years, my mission has remained the same: put people first,” Morales said. “Together, we can build a stronger future for East Orlando, Lake Nona, and communities across Florida.”

Daisy Morales and Samuel Vilchez Santiago are currently the only Democrats who have filed to run for Florida House District 43. On the Republican side, Robert Prater has entered the race, along with write-in candidate Areeb Gulzar.

The seat is being vacated by incumbent State Rep. Johanna López, who is running for the Orange County Commission.

Candidate qualifying runs from June 8 through June 12, meaning additional candidates may still enter the race before the filing deadline.

Florida’s primary election is scheduled for Aug. 18, 2026, with the general election set for Nov. 3, 2026.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (FNN) — U.S. Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal have introduced the Right to Record Act, federal legislation aimed at protecting Americans’ First Amendment rights to record, observe, and peacefully protest federal law enforcement activities.

The legislation would establish a legal pathway for individuals to sue federal law enforcement officers who violate constitutional rights while citizens are lawfully recording government activity.

According to the bill’s sponsors, the measure is intended to strengthen government transparency and accountability by protecting the public’s ability to document interactions with federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Growing Concerns Over Transparency

The legislation comes amid ongoing protests and demonstrations outside the Delaney Hall detention facility in New Jersey, where advocates, journalists, and community members have reported instances of harassment while attempting to document conditions at the facility.

Supporters of the bill argue that Americans currently face significant legal barriers when seeking accountability for constitutional rights violations committed by individual federal officers.

“The First Amendment protects the rights to assemble, protest, and record government officials in public,” Frost said. “That right has never been more important. Without firsthand recordings, false narratives can become the official story. The Right to Record Act would protect the public’s ability to expose the truth without fear and provide a legal remedy when constitutional rights are violated.”

Strengthening First Amendment Protections

Blumenthal said video recordings have played a critical role in documenting alleged misconduct by government officials and ensuring public accountability.

“The right to bear witness has never been more important,” Blumenthal said. “This legislation strengthens the rights to record, observe, and peacefully protest while creating meaningful enforcement mechanisms for First Amendment protections that are foundational to our democracy.”

Civil Rights Organizations Back Legislation

The bill has received support from civil rights and immigrant advocacy organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Florida Immigration Coalition (FLIC).

Jenna Leventoff, senior policy counsel for the ACLU, said the ability to observe and document law enforcement activities is essential for government accountability.

“The right to observe and record law enforcement is fundamental to our democracy,” Leventoff said. “Americans cannot hold government accountable if they cannot see for themselves what government officials are doing in their communities.”

Supporters say the legislation would help ensure transparency, deter misconduct, and provide Americans with stronger legal protections when exercising their First Amendment rights.

Key Provisions of the Right to Record Act

• Protects the right to record federal law enforcement officers performing official duties in public.
• Protects the rights to observe and peacefully protest government activity.
• Creates a civil cause of action allowing individuals to sue federal officers who violate these constitutional rights.
• Strengthens accountability and transparency within federal agencies.
• Provides legal remedies for Americans whose First Amendment rights are infringed.

The legislation has been introduced in both the U.S. House and Senate and awaits further congressional consideration.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Florida House District 43 candidate Samuel Vilchez Santiago announced the endorsement of U.S. Congressman Darren Soto while reporting more than $160,000 raised since launching his campaign, signaling growing support among Democratic leaders and grassroots donors across Central Florida.

Vilchez Santiago, a Venezuelan political refugee who later became a U.S. citizen and prominent Democratic organizer in Orange County, is seeking to represent House District 43, which includes portions of East Orange County and Lake Nona.

Congressman Darren Soto Endorses Vilchez Santiago

“Samuel Vilchez Santiago has dedicated his career to uplifting our community, bringing people together, and creating opportunities for working families,” Soto said in a statement. “His commitment to public service and deep roots in our community are exactly what we need in the Florida House, and I’m proud to endorse him to be the next State Representative for HD 43.”

The endorsement adds one of Central Florida’s most influential Democratic voices to Vilchez Santiago’s growing coalition of supporters.

Campaign Reports More Than $160,000 Raised

According to the campaign, Vilchez Santiago has raised more than $160,000 since entering the race, including more than $32,000 during the most recent reporting period. The campaign reported receiving more than 700 contributions from over 500 unique donors and maintaining more than $110,000 cash on hand.

Campaign officials said the fundraising success will support voter outreach, communications, field organizing, and turnout efforts throughout District 43.

Investing in Grassroots Organizing

The campaign also announced the launch of a five-figure Fellowship Program designed to strengthen voter contact efforts while training the next generation of political organizers and community leaders.

“I am incredibly honored to earn Congressman Darren Soto’s endorsement,” Vilchez Santiago said. “Congressman Soto has been a tireless advocate for Central Florida’s families, workers, and small businesses, and I am grateful for his support.”

Vilchez Santiago also emphasized concerns about political representation in Central Florida.

“The partisan gerrymandering coming out of Tallahassee threatens to diminish Latino representation in Central Florida and silence communities that deserve a seat at the table,” he said. “Congressman Soto has always fought to ensure our voices are heard, and that’s exactly why it’s so important that we stand together and continue fighting for fair representation and opportunity for every family in our community.”

Statewide Democratic Leaders Unite Behind HD 43 Candidate

The endorsement underscores the significant political support Vilchez Santiago has assembled from current and former Democratic elected officials, labor organizations, and community leaders across Florida.

The endorsements reflect a significant investment of political capital by Democratic leaders statewide, who are backing Samuel Vilchez Santiago, a Venezuelan political refugee and former chair of the Orange County Democratic Party, in his bid to represent Florida House District 43.

Recent endorsements include SEIU Florida, representing more than 80,000 members statewide, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 606, and Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA!) Local 517.

He has also received endorsements from former state Sens. Annette Taddeo and Victor Torres, former Florida House Democratic Leader Mark Pafford, and former state representatives Anthony Suarez, Juan Carlos Planas, Joe Geller, Sean Shaw, Travaris McCurdy, Joe Saunders, and Dick Batchelor.

The coalition of support spans multiple regions of Florida and includes elected officials, labor leaders, and longtime Democratic activists who view Vilchez Santiago as a leading contender to represent one of Central Florida’s most diverse legislative districts.

A review of Florida Division of Elections records shows that, as of June 8, no additional Democratic candidates have filed to run for Florida House District 43. Republican candidate Robert Prater and write-in candidate Areeb Gulzar have entered the race for the seat being vacated by Rep. Johanna Lopez, who is seeking election to the Orange County Commission.

Candidate qualifying runs from June 8 through June 12, meaning additional candidates may still enter the race before the filing deadline.

Florida’s primary election is scheduled for Aug. 18, 2026, and the general election will be held on Nov. 3, 2026.