ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – The arrest of Osceola County Sheriff Marcos López — Florida’s first Puerto Rican and Hispanic elected sheriff — sent shockwaves through Central Florida’s Hispanic community. “It comes amid a steady decline in Puerto Rican political representation in Florida, with key seats lost since November 2016, despite major gains that year with the election of the state’s first Puerto Rican member of Congress.”

PUERTO RICAN POLITICAL CLOUT IN FLORIDA DIMINISHES

Once holding several influential elected positions, including a State Senate seat, multiple State Representative seats, and key county offices in Orange and Osceola Counties, Puerto Rican leaders have faced notable electoral setbacks. “With Sheriff López’s recent arrest — now caught in the criminal justice system and presumed innocent until proven guilty — the community faces yet another blow to its political influence in a state that’s home to one of the nation’s largest Puerto Rican populations.”

DAISY MORALES SPEAKS ON HER JOURNEY AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE

Amid this political shift, former Florida State Representative Daisy Morales took to social media to reflect on both the community’s challenges and her own history-making career. Morales shared a personal message with her followers, urging hope and resilience:

“It’s OK To Believe,” Morales posted, highlighting her accomplishments as a proud Puerto Rican public servant.

Morales Statement:
“I find myself overjoyed watching Daisy Morales’ remarkable journey. She built an impactful career — serving as a U.S. Government official for 24 years, becoming a political newcomer elected Supervisor of the Orange County Soil & Water Conservation District for six years, appointed to the Orange County Disability Advisory Board, and later elected as a State Representative in the Florida House of Representatives.

Her achievements are etched into law, state budgets, community projects, and even in the Soil and Water Conservation District signs welcoming visitors to Orange County from Osceola and Seminole Counties.

Leaders like Daisy Morales show us what’s possible and inspire us to believe in our own potential — reminding us that we too can rise, lead, and leave our mark on history.”

PRESERVING CULTURE AND ADVOCACY THROUGH NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP

In addition to her public service career, Morales is the Founder and President of the Puerto Rican Heritage Network, a nonprofit organization she established in 2023. The organization is dedicated to preserving and promoting Puerto Rican culture, history, and leadership through educational initiatives, events, and community advocacy, according to PRHN’s website. The nonprofit has become a growing platform for conversations around representation, culture, and civic engagement for Florida’s Puerto Rican population.

COMMUNITY AT A CROSSROADS

The Puerto Rican community in Florida now finds itself at a political crossroads, navigating how to rebuild its influence in local and state government. With leaders like Morales speaking out and new grassroots initiatives forming, advocates hope to reignite civic participation and prepare a new generation of Puerto Rican leaders to reclaim their place in Florida’s political landscape.

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Staff: News@FloridaNationalNews.com

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – Political newcomer and personal injury attorney Coretta Anthony-Smith has discovered a lucrative fundraising lane in the race for Florida Senate District 15. She’s quickly emerged as a financial frontrunner, leaning heavily on contributions from the legal community as she prepares to take on three well-known Democratic opponents in the June 24th primary.

Crowded Field of Familiar Names

Anthony-Smith is running against State Representative LaVon Bracy Davis, former State Senator Randolph Bracy (Bracy Davis’ brother), and former U.S. Congressman Alan Grayson. Both Bracy Davis and Grayson also bring attorney titles and name recognition into the race, setting up one of the most competitive Democratic primaries in Central Florida this election cycle.

Fundraising Leader Among Seasoned Opponents

Despite being a first-time candidate, Anthony-Smith has outpaced her seasoned opponents in fundraising. According to her latest campaign finance report filed with the Florida Division of Elections in May 2025, she raised $39,000 in contributions—the highest among all candidates in the Special Election.

Her fundraising success has been fueled by strong support from Orlando’s legal community, with several law firms contributing $1,000 each, including:

• Law Niemand

• Law Couch

• Todd E. Copeland Associates

• Law Offices of Michael A. Miller

Individual attorneys also made max donations of $1,000, including:

• Walter Arguelles

• Brooke Boltz

• Jeffrey Byrd

• Tyrone King

• Mac Phillips

• Walter Rogers

Additionally, Anthony-Smith personally loaned her campaign a hefty $175,000, giving her financial flexibility through the election season. She can choose to recoup those funds if not spent.

PAC Support and Legal Network Power

Further strengthening her financial position, Anthony-Smith chairs the affiliated political action committee, Action for Change Now, which has raised an impressive $66,500. Her PAC has also capitalized on donations from fellow personal injury attorneys and law firms eager to support one of their own.

Her ability to mobilize resources from her legal peers has not only propelled her to the top of the fundraising charts but positioned her as a serious contender for the open seat.

Family Feud Overshadows Democratic Primary

Meanwhile, the race has been overshadowed by a reported family feud between Bracy Davis and Randolph Bracy, who failed to consolidate support despite their family’s legacy in Orange County. “Their inability to set aside personal differences — in contrast to the often strategically unified approach of Republicans in the Florida Legislature — is seen by some observers as a missed opportunity for Democratic voters to have siblings hold both Senate and House seats.”

Challenges for LaVon Bracy Davis

A key setback for State Rep. Bracy Davis is the extended 2025 Legislative Session, which restricts active lawmakers from raising funds for their campaigns while the session is in progress. This delay has limited her ability to financially compete with Anthony-Smith’s head start.

Next Step: Facing the Republican Nominee

The winner of the June 24 Democratic primary will face Republican Willie Montague in the Special General Election on September 2, 2025, to fill the seat previously held by Senator Geraldine Thompson, who passed away earlier this year.

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J Willie David, III
News@FloridaNationalNews.com

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (FNN) — Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 929 today during remarks at the 81st Annual Convention of the Florida Professional Firefighters in Palm Beach Gardens. The new legislation strengthens Florida’s health, safety, and mental health protections for firefighters, reaffirming the state’s commitment to supporting those who risk their lives daily to protect others.

Governor DeSantis Recognizes Firefighters’ Service

“Firefighters put their lives on the line to save others,” said Governor DeSantis. “The heroic work takes a physical and mental toll. HB 929 recognizes those risks and strengthens Florida’s commitment to the well-being of our firefighters, and I was proud to sign it alongside some of the state’s hometown heroes today.”

Key Provisions in House Bill 929

The legislation updates the Florida Firefighters Occupational Safety and Health Act, expanding its scope to include occupational diseases and suicide prevention. Key provisions include:

• Requiring fire departments to purchase gear free of hazardous chemicals once it becomes commercially available.

• Mandating employers notify firefighters if existing gear contains toxic substances.

• Directing the Department of Financial Services’ Division of the State Fire Marshal to establish clear rules to mitigate health risks, including exposure to toxins and mental health impacts.

• Monitoring mental health effects, including suicide risk, and implementing prevention protocols.

• Limiting standard firefighter shifts to 42 hours per week to reduce fatigue and burnout.

DeSantis’ Track Record of Supporting First Responders

Since taking office, Governor DeSantis has prioritized resources, protections, and benefits for Florida’s first responders. Among his actions:

• Signed cancer benefits legislation for firefighters in 2019.

• Allocated $2 million in disaster relief funding for first responders following Hurricane Ian.

• Recently expanded compensation benefits for first responders injured during official training.

• In his most recent budget, recommended over $118 million for first responder pay raises, including a 25% pay increase for state-employed firefighters.