ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Republican congressional candidate Joe Strada announced endorsements Thursday from House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and U.S. Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Randy Fine of Florida, adding support from prominent conservative leaders to his campaign for Florida’s 11th Congressional District.

Strada, founder of Strada Services, said the endorsements reflect confidence in his business experience and commitment to advancing conservative priorities in Congress.

Conservative Leaders Rally Behind Strada

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise praised Strada’s private-sector leadership and pledged his support for the campaign.

“Joe Strada is a strong conservative Republican who will stand with President Trump to help us deliver on the America First agenda for hardworking families in Central Florida and across the country,” Scalise said. “Joe Strada has my full endorsement because, as a businessman, Joe knows firsthand what it takes to solve problems, create jobs and empower those who are willing to work for their piece of the American Dream.”

U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan highlighted Strada’s workforce development efforts and business record.

“Joe Strada has built the American Dream for countless families in Florida and across this great nation,” Jordan said. “He’s tackled the skilled worker shortage by building his own training program and graduating students directly into the workforce. Now, more than ever, we need leaders like Joe Strada in Congress because he is a problem solver who will stand up for our shared conservative values and with President Trump.”

Florida Congressman Randy Fine also endorsed Strada, citing their shared business backgrounds and longtime friendship.

“Joe Strada doesn’t just talk about the American Dream—he’s helped thousands of Floridians live it,” Fine said. “While Washington created problems, Joe built solutions by creating his own workforce training program and putting graduates directly into good-paying jobs across Central Florida. President Trump needs fighters who know how to get things done, and I want Joe standing with President Trump and me in Congress.”

Business Background

Strada is the founder of Strada Services, which the campaign describes as the nation’s largest privately held, family-owned provider of air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and security services. His campaign has emphasized his experience as a self-made businessman and employer, arguing that his private-sector leadership prepares him to address workforce and economic challenges in Congress.

Campaign Message

According to the campaign, Strada is running on a conservative platform focused on supporting President Donald Trump’s America First agenda, strengthening workforce development, expanding job opportunities, and promoting pro-business policies.

The endorsements from Scalise, Jordan, and Fine are expected to bolster Strada’s campaign by highlighting support from influential Republican leaders with strong ties to the House Republican Conference and the conservative movement.

Looking Ahead

Florida’s 11th Congressional District is expected to draw significant attention during the 2026 election cycle. As the campaign progresses, endorsements from national and state Republican leaders are likely to remain an important part of candidates’ efforts to build support among primary voters.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Former Florida State Representative and Democratic candidate for Florida House District 43 Daisy Morales is calling on the Florida Democratic Party to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her removal from the Orange County Democratic Executive Committee over an alleged endorsement of Republican Orange County Commission District 5 candidate Joel Montilla during the 2024 election cycle.

Morales said the investigation should examine whether party rules were applied fairly, consistently, and in accordance with established procedures, while also reviewing whether any actual or perceived conflicts of interest existed involving former Orange County Democratic Executive Committee Chair Samuel Vilchez Santiago, who is now her opponent in the Democratic primary for House District 43.

“I welcome a fair and impartial investigation. Democratic voters deserve confidence that party rules are applied equally to everyone, regardless of political position, personal relationships, or whether someone is running for office.”

— Daisy Morales

Request for Independent Investigation

Morales is asking the Florida Democratic Party to conduct an independent review rather than relying solely on local party officials.

According to Morales, the review should determine:

• Whether party rules were consistently enforced.
• Whether proper due process was followed.
• Whether any conflicts of interest existed during the disciplinary process.
• Whether official records support the actions taken.

Morales said an independent review would help ensure public confidence in the integrity of the party’s internal governance.

How the Issue Re-Emerged

Morales said she first learned the matter had resurfaced during the 2026 House District 43 campaign after receiving questions from an Orlando Sentinel reporter.

According to Morales, the reporter indicated that Samuel Vilchez Santiago cited an alleged endorsement of Republican candidate Joel Montilla as the basis for questions regarding her removal from the local Democratic Party.

Morales disputes that characterization.

Joel Montilla: “There Was No Endorsement”

Florida National News contacted attorney Joel Montilla, the 2024 Republican candidate for Orange County Commission District 5, requesting clarification.

According to Montilla:

“It wasn’t an endorsement, it was support as the President of the Puerto Rican Bar Association of Florida, Inc.”

When asked directly whether Daisy Morales endorsed his campaign, Montilla responded:

“She did not. She only agreed to be on my host committee as I launched my campaign.”

Montilla further stated:

“There was no endorsement, only support in running. Daisy and I worked on a number of initiatives within the Puerto Rican community. My goal was to have half Democrats and half Republicans support my kickoff to show the bipartisanship in a nonpartisan race. Daisy wasn’t the only local Democrat on my host committee. There were a few.”

Asked what documentation supports his statement, Montilla replied:

“The Host Committee flyer is the only material bearing her name.”

Morales said Montilla’s statements reinforce her request that the Florida Democratic Party review all relevant records before reaching any conclusions.

Campaign Finance Disclosure

Morales also noted that Samuel Vilchez Santiago’s January 30, 2026, campaign finance report disclosed a $100 contribution from Joel Montilla.

Morales said she believes the Florida Democratic Party should determine whether party rules have been applied consistently in light of publicly reported interactions involving Democratic candidates and Republican officeholders.

Source: winterparkvoice.com

Questions About Consistency

Morales is asking the state party to review whether similar situations involving Democratic officials received comparable treatment.

Among the examples she cited:

• Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s public endorsement of Republican Steve Leary during the 2024 Orange County Commission District 5 race.
• A Florida Politics report published in August 2025 stating that former Kissimmee Mayor and former Democratic State Representative Jose Alvarez endorsed Republican State Representative Fabián Basabe.

Morales also noted that Alvarez later endorsed Samuel Vilchez Santiago’s House District 43 campaign.

Morales said these publicly reported examples should be reviewed to determine whether party rules were enforced consistently.

“If party rules are going to be enforced, they should be enforced fairly, consistently, and transparently. Equal treatment and due process should apply to every Democrat.”

— Daisy Morales

Request for Records

Morales is requesting preservation and production of records related to the disciplinary process, including:

• Executive Committee meeting minutes
• Official resolutions
• Voting records
• Disciplinary findings
• Party bylaws
• Correspondence
• Notices
• Investigative materials
• Supporting documentation

She said a complete documentary record is necessary for any independent review.

Campaign Impact

Morales said the circumstances surrounding her removal have become part of campaign messaging during the Democratic primary.

She is asking the Florida Democratic Party to determine whether the disciplinary process created either an actual or perceived campaign advantage and whether safeguards existed to prevent conflicts of interest during a contested primary.

Morales’ campaign also said it believes an independent investigation should determine whether there were any irregularities in the disciplinary process, including improper document handling, fabrication of evidence, misrepresentation of facts, or other procedural concerns. The campaign said these allegations warrant review by the state party, rather than solely by local officials, because some local officials may have participated in or possess knowledge of the events under review.

Public Confidence

Morales emphasized that her request is intended to strengthen confidence in the Democratic Party rather than undermine it.

“This investigation is bigger than one campaign. It is about protecting the integrity of the Democratic Party and ensuring that every member is treated fairly, consistently, and with due process.”

— Daisy Morales

She added:

“There should be no place for anyone to weaponize a political party’s disciplinary process for personal or political advantage. Democratic voters deserve transparency, accountability, and confidence that the rules apply equally to everyone.”

Requested Action

Morales is asking the Florida Democratic Party to:

• Conduct an independent investigation.
• Preserve all relevant records.
• Review whether local and state party rules were consistently applied.
• Examine any actual or perceived conflicts of interest.
• Issue findings based on the complete documentary record.

Morales also said that if the investigation determines Samuel Vilchez Santiago engaged in conduct that violated party rules, ethical standards, or compromised the integrity of the disciplinary process, she believes the Florida Democratic Party should take whatever action it determines is appropriate under its rules, including requesting that he withdraw from the House District 43 race, if warranted by the investigation’s findings.

What’s Next for the Florida Democratic Party?

If the Florida Democratic Party chooses to review Morales’ request, the process could include:

• Determining whether an independent review is warranted.
• Preserving relevant records while any review is pending.
• Evaluating whether local party procedures complied with party bylaws.
• Reviewing whether similarly situated cases received comparable treatment.
• Determining whether any conflicts of interest existed.
• Deciding whether additional action is appropriate under party rules.

As of the information presented in this release, the Florida Democratic Party had not publicly announced whether it will open such a review.

WASHINGTON (FNN NEWS) — House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday warned that the United States faces what he described as a growing influence of socialist and communist ideology within the Democratic Party, arguing that the 2026 midterm elections will determine the future of the nation’s constitutional republic.

Speaking during a House Republican leadership press conference alongside House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain, and U.S. Rep. Carlos Giménez, Johnson urged Americans to closely examine the policy positions of democratic socialist candidates and organizations.

Johnson Says Election Is About the Future of Constitutional Government

Johnson said voters will decide whether the United States remains “a constitutional republic” or moves toward what he characterized as a system based on communist ideology.

“We’re fighting right now in Congress over whether we’re going to maintain our status as a constitutional republic or we’re going to trade that in, dismantle the foundations and go down this dark road of death to communism,” Johnson said.

He described the upcoming election as a defining moment for the country and encouraged Americans to review the platform of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

Johnson Criticizes Democratic Socialist Platform

According to Johnson, the DSA platform includes proposals to expand the Supreme Court, eliminate the U.S. Senate in favor of a unicameral legislature, abolish national borders, provide broad immigration amnesty, eliminate prisons, and reduce traditional law enforcement.

Johnson argued that candidates he described as “mini-Mamdani’s” are promoting similar ideas in congressional races around the country.

“This is not a game. Everybody needs to understand these crazy little mini-Mamdani’s who are popping up all around the country; they are a danger to you and your family,” Johnson said.

Johnson Contrasts Constitutional Government and Communism

Johnson said America’s founding principles recognize rights as originating from God rather than government, contrasting that belief with what he described as communist ideology.

“Our rights come from our Creator, God; they do not come from the government. The communist believes the opposite,” Johnson said.

He also cited the historical record of communist governments, stating that communist ideology “has led to the murder of tens of millions of innocent people in the 20th century alone.”

Cold War Comparison

Johnson compared today’s political climate with the Reagan era, when he said Republicans and Democrats were united in opposing communism overseas.

“Thirty-five years ago Republicans and Democrats in Congress… were fighting communism on a distant shore. Now it’s here,” Johnson said.

He argued that ideological differences between the two major political parties have expanded beyond disagreements over taxes and regulation into broader debates about the nation’s governing philosophy.

‘The Barbarians Are Inside the Gate’

Concluding his remarks, Johnson described the 2026 midterm elections as one of the most consequential in modern American history.

“The American people have to decide in November… whether we’re going to maintain our freedom in a constitutional republic,” Johnson said.

Johnson ended the press conference by warning:

“The barbarians are inside the gate.”

The remarks reflect House Republican leadership’s broader campaign message heading into the 2026 midterm elections, emphasizing constitutional government, border security, and opposition to socialism and communism. Democratic leaders have rejected Republican characterizations that equate Democratic policies or democratic socialism with authoritarian communism.