SANFORD, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill has endorsed Democrat Bale Dalton in the race for Florida’s 7th Congressional District, adding another high-profile endorsement to Dalton’s campaign to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Cory Mills.

Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot who previously represented New Jersey in Congress, pointed to Dalton’s military service, government experience and campaign organization in announcing her support.

“As a fellow Navy helicopter pilot and former NASA chief of staff, Bale Dalton has spent his career in public service,” Sherrill said. “Having flipped a Republican stronghold from red to blue in 2018, I know what it takes to win in hard places. I’m confident that he’s built the winning coalition and grassroots support to defeat Cory Mills in November and fight for an economy that actually works for working people.”

Dalton Welcomes Sherrill Endorsement

Dalton thanked Sherrill for her support and highlighted their shared backgrounds as Navy helicopter pilots.

“Gov. Sherrill has spent her career in public service, flying Navy helicopters and serving as a tireless advocate for her constituents,” Dalton said. “She knows how to win tough races, and I’m grateful for her support as we work to unseat the most corrupt member of Congress and build an economy that works for Floridians.”

Dalton’s description of Mills as “the most corrupt member of Congress” is a campaign characterization.

Dalton Builds List of Democratic Endorsements

The Sherrill endorsement is the second high-profile endorsement announced by Dalton’s campaign this week, following an endorsement from U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel on Wednesday.

Dalton’s campaign also lists support from several current and former Florida elected officials, including former U.S. Reps. Val Demings and Stephanie Murphy, former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

Other supporters include state Sen. LaVon Bracy Davis, state Reps. RaShon Young and Rita Harris, Maitland Mayor John Lowndes, Winter Springs Commissioner Sarah Baker and Casselberry Commissioner Tom Kirk.

Dalton is campaigning for the Democratic nomination in Florida’s 7th Congressional District, with the eventual nominee seeking to challenge Mills in the November general election.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Orange County’s Neighborhood Services Division has awarded Central Florida Dreamplex a $15,000 Youth Sports Enhancement Grant to help expand the nonprofit’s Orlando Magic Dreamers youth wheelchair basketball program.

The funding will support the purchase of specialized sports wheelchairs and uniforms, helping make adaptive sports more accessible to young athletes ages 5 to 18 across Central Florida.

“Wheelchair basketball gave me a space where my disability didn’t hold me back,” said Adriel Rosario, a 16-year-old member of the Orlando Magic Dreamers. “The team gave me a community where I belong and a court where I can compete at full strength.”

Grant Expands Access to Adaptive Sports

Sports wheelchairs can represent a significant expense for athletes and their families. Orange County officials said the investment is intended to reduce that barrier and create more opportunities for young athletes who might otherwise be unable to participate.

The $15,000 grant will allow Central Florida Dreamplex to expand access to equipment while strengthening opportunities for youth participation in adaptive basketball.

“We are incredibly grateful to Orange County for investing in our athletes,” said Cameron Gomes, CEO of Central Florida Dreamplex. “This grant will help more young people get onto the court, build confidence, and experience the belonging that comes from being part of a team.”

Supporting Youth Sports in Orange County

Orange County’s Youth Sports Enhancement Grant provides financial assistance for facility improvements and program enhancements at eligible nonprofit organizations offering public youth sports programs.

To qualify, organizations must ensure their programs are accessible to participants and do not impose exclusionary eligibility requirements.

The Central Florida Dreamplex provides sports, recreation and other programs designed to serve people with disabilities and their families. The Orlando Magic Dreamers wheelchair basketball program gives young athletes an opportunity to develop their skills, compete and participate as part of a team.

For additional information about the Youth Sports Enhancement Grant and other funding opportunities, visit Orange County’s Neighborhood Services Grants Program.

SEO Headlines

1. Orange County Awards $15,000 Grant to Expand Youth Wheelchair Basketball
2. Central Florida Dreamplex Receives $15,000 Orange County Grant for Orlando Magic Dreamers
3. Orange County Invests $15,000 in Adaptive Youth Sports Through Central Florida Dreamplex

SEO Keywords: Orange County Florida, Central Florida Dreamplex, Orlando Magic Dreamers, wheelchair basketball, adaptive sports, youth sports, Orange County grants, Youth Sports Enhancement Grant, Central Florida youth sports, disability sports

Hashtags:

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Former Florida State Rep. Daisy Morales is criticizing a $40,000 contribution from a political committee supporting Democratic rival Samuel Vilchez Santiago to the Florida House Democratic Campaign Committee, arguing the expenditure raises questions about priorities as voters in Florida House District 43 contend with rising living costs.

Morales, who is seeking to return to the Florida House, made the criticism in a campaign press release as the Aug. 18 Democratic primary enters its final stretch.

The race is a rematch of the 2020 Democratic primary for the former House District 48, when Morales defeated Vilchez Santiago and three other candidates before winning the general election.

Following legislative redistricting, many neighborhoods and communities previously included in District 48 are now within District 43.

MORALES TARGETS $40,000 PAC CONTRIBUTION

At the center of Morales’ criticism is a $40,000 contribution by Central Floridians for Change to the Florida House Democratic Campaign Committee.

The political committee has supported Vilchez Santiago’s candidacy.

Morales said the expenditure contrasts with the financial pressures facing families across East Orlando and other District 43 communities, where residents are dealing with the costs of housing, groceries, insurance, health care, transportation and other necessities.

“District 43 families are facing an affordability crisis, and they deserve leadership focused on their everyday challenges,” Morales said. “Sending $40,000 to a Tallahassee political committee tells voters something about priorities, judgment and leadership. I believe District 43 families should come first.”

Morales also questioned what the money could have accomplished if directed toward community organizations.

“Imagine what $40,000 could mean to organizations serving District 43 — food-assistance programs, veterans organizations, senior programs, youth initiatives, neighborhood groups and other nonprofits helping families every day,” Morales said. “Those are the kinds of investments that can strengthen neighborhoods and improve lives.”

Political committees, however, are separate from nonprofit organizations and can legally spend money for political purposes subject to applicable campaign finance laws. Morales’ criticism centers on the political priorities represented by the contribution rather than an allegation that the contribution itself was unlawful.

‘VOTERS NEED MORE THAN TALKING POINTS’

Morales used the contribution to challenge Vilchez Santiago’s campaign message and question whether his political support aligns with the priorities of District 43 residents.

“Voters deserve more than talking points about putting people first,” Morales said. “Actions matter. When $40,000 goes to a Tallahassee political committee while families here are struggling to make ends meet, voters have every right to ask whether their community is truly the first priority.”

Morales said she believes financial decisions provide voters with information about how candidates and their supporters establish priorities.

“A state representative helps make decisions involving billions of taxpayer dollars,” Morales said. “How someone approaches money, priorities and accountability matters. Voters should look beyond campaign slogans and examine the decisions being made right now.”

Morales characterized the contribution as a “sneak peek” at the judgment and leadership voters should evaluate before casting their ballots.

“I believe this $40,000 contribution gives voters a preview of the judgment and priorities they should evaluate when deciding who they want representing them in Tallahassee,” Morales said.

2026 CONTEST IS A REMATCH OF 2020 PRIMARY

The Democratic primary brings Morales and Vilchez Santiago together for the second time in six years.

In 2020, both sought the Democratic nomination for the former Florida House District 48.

Morales finished first in the five-candidate Democratic primary with 4,897 votes, or 39.89%, while Vilchez Santiago received 3,676 votes, or 29.94%, according to official Orange County election results.

The difference was 1,221 votes and nearly 10 percentage points.

Morales went on to win the 2020 general election and represented House District 48 from 2020 to 2022.

“We have seen this race before,” Morales said. “In 2020, voters looked beyond endorsements, political organizations and campaign spending. They examined the candidates and elected me as their Democratic nominee. Six years later, I trust District 43 voters to make their own decision again.”

The political landscape has changed since their first matchup because of redistricting, but the current District 43 includes many neighborhoods and communities that were previously represented within District 48.

That gives the contest an unusual rematch dynamic, with some voters being asked to choose again between the same two Democratic candidates for a Florida House seat.

FUNDRAISING AND ENDORSEMENTS VS. ELECTED EXPERIENCE

Vilchez Santiago has entered the closing weeks of the campaign with substantial fundraising and organizational support, including endorsements from Democratic elected officials, labor organizations and other political groups.

Morales has sought to turn those advantages into a political contrast.

She describes Vilchez Santiago as the “political-establishment candidate” while presenting herself as the “people-first candidate” with previous legislative and elected experience.

The descriptions are characterizations by Morales and her campaign.

“My opponent can have the political establishment. I want the trust of the people,” Morales said. “Endorsements do not cast ballots — voters do. District 43 voters will decide who represents them, and their endorsement is the one that matters most to me.”

Morales has also pointed to the similarities between 2020 and 2026, arguing that Vilchez Santiago held advantages in fundraising and endorsements during their first contest but nevertheless lost the Democratic nomination.

“In 2020, voters had a choice, and they elected me as their Democratic nominee,” Morales said. “Now many of those same communities have another opportunity to compare our experience, our priorities and our judgment.”

MORALES CAMPAIGNS ON EIGHT YEARS IN ELECTED OFFICE

Morales is emphasizing her eight years of elected public service as one of the central distinctions between the candidates.

She was elected to the Orange Soil and Water Conservation District in 2014 and served six years before winning election to the Florida House in 2020.

Morales served two years in the Legislature, giving her eight consecutive years in elected office.

She has made that experience a centerpiece of her campaign to return to Tallahassee.

“I am not asking voters to imagine what I might do in elected office,” Morales said. “I have served them before. They can examine my votes, my legislation, my constituent service and the state resources I fought to bring back to our communities.”

During her House tenure, Morales voted on state budgets exceeding $100 billion, sponsored and supported legislation that became law and advocated for state appropriations benefiting Central Florida and other communities.

“I have done the job, and I am ready to do it again,” Morales said. “If District 43 voters send me back to the Florida House, I will be ready on Day One to work on affordability, responsible state spending, stronger public safety, quality education and greater opportunities for working families, seniors, veterans, first responders, homeowners and small businesses.”

MORALES: ‘DISTRICT 43 COMES FIRST’

Morales said the PAC contribution illustrates what she wants voters to consider when comparing the candidates: who will come first when political and community priorities compete.

“District 43 families should never feel like they are taking a back seat to political organizations,” Morales said. “They deserve a state representative who wakes up every day thinking about their families, their neighborhoods and their future.”

She argued that the election should ultimately be decided on experience, priorities and the candidates’ records rather than fundraising totals or endorsements.

“The question is bigger than one contribution,” Morales said. “The question is who comes first when important decisions have to be made. For me, the answer will always be the people of District 43.”

Morales added: “Public service is about serving people — not political organizations. District 43 comes first because the people we are elected to serve must always come before politics.”

The Democratic primary is Aug. 18, 2026, with early voting continuing through Aug. 16.