Central Florida News

OPINION: Democratic State Senator Victor Torres Seat Could Flip Republican or White

Published

1 year ago

September 13, 2023

Florida State Senator Victor Torres, Jr., presenting Senate District 25 in Osceola and Orange counties.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (FNN) – Recently, Osceola County School Board Member Jon Arguello and St. Cloud Proud Foundation Founder Jose Martinez filed paperwork to run for the Florida State Senate District 25 open seat, according to the Florida Division of Elections’ website.

Both candidates are Hispanics and Republicans.

Could Senate District 25 Flip Republican?
Arguello and Martinez are hoping to flip State Senate District 25 seat for the Republican Party in 2024. Senate District 25 is heavily Hispanic with a large Puerto Rican population in Osceola and Orange counties.

During the 2022 midterm election, incumbent State Senator Victor Torres was clearly losing support among Democrat and independent Hispanic voters in Osceola County. Republican candidate Peter Vivaldi came within 300 votes of flipping Osceola County out of the Democratic Party’s hands. The Democrats appear to have their work cut out for them if they want to switch Osceola County from purple back to blue.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, Governor Ron DeSantis, both Republicans, won Osceola County in the 2022 election, showing an ideological shift in the population.

Florida State Representative Kristen Arrington, a Democratic candidate for Florida State Senate District 25, attends the Central Florida AFL-CIO annual Labor Picnic in Orlando. Photo by Florida National News.

Could Senate District 25 Flip White?
In since 2012, Darren Soto was the first and Victor Torres was the second Puerto Rican elected to the State Senate. Both are registered Democrats.

Democratic State Representative Kristen Arrington flipped a former Puerto Rican seat white when she won Florida House District 43 in 2020, vacated by then Democratic State Rep. John Cortes, who ran unsuccessful for Osceola County Clerk of the Courts. The seat is yet to be reclaimed by a Puerto Rican candidate because after redistricting, Rep. Arrington was re-elected by a landslide (Arrington 58.3% to Republican Christian De La Torre 38.7) to the predominantly Hispanic constituency, renamed District 46, in 2022.

And now, with her sights on Sen. Torres’s seat for 2024, Rep. Arrington may very well win (and flip) that seat too. Arrington carries with her a name with strong political capital. She’s working full time in the family business: Her mother-in-law, Mary Jane Arrington, is the Osceola County Supervisor of Elections, while her husband, Brandon Arrington, was elected for Osceola County Commissioner for District 3 in 2020 and became Board Chair in 2022.

After Arrington’s win in 2020, Puerto Rican Democrats only have one seat in the Florida House–Rep. Daisy Morales won in 2020 and lost in 2022 to Rita Harris, who is white and a Democrat, while Orange County School Board Member Johanna Lopez, who’s Puerto Rican and a Democrat won the District 43 seat that became available after redistricting split Rep. Morales’ District 48 in half (districts 43 and 44).

Arrington’s current Democratic opponent in the SD 25 race is Sen. Torres’s own wife Carmen Torres. While Torres has worked alongside her husband as well as their daughter–Orange County Property Appraiser Amy Mercado–in building strong relationships among unions, Democrats and political action committees (PACs), the Arringtons appear to have a dynasty in Osceola County, so Torres will have her work cut out for her in that portion of the district.

In 2022 Arrington continued to make inroads with the Puerto Rican community by endorsing State Rep. Morales re-election bid, the only Puerto Rican in the Florida House, and co-sponsored bills Morales sponsored that were signed into law. However, Senator Torres, his daughter and wife chose to endorse Harris, who is white, instead of gaining an additional House seat (District 44) and political power for the Hispanic community.

Puerto Rican political organizers and activists told NBC News, “We must elect more Puerto Ricans to local and state offices and Congress.”

During the 2022 election, Governor DeSantis focused heavily on voter registration, which appeared to benefit him in Osceola County, and the Democrats will need to focus on GOTV (get out the vote) and voter registration efforts in order to increase their chances of victory. With 2024 being a presidential election year, more Democrats will turn out, but Democrats, especially in the Hispanic and Puerto Rican communities, will need to take a page out of DeSantis’s playbook and unify–with zero infighting whatsoever, despite their differences–and turn out every vote they possibly can in order to protect their representation. If not, the seats will continue to be scooped up by others.

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Central Florida News

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and District 1 City Commissioner Jim Gray Break Ground on New Southeast Community and Government Center

Published

4 days ago

December 3, 2024

Willie David

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – The City of Orlando, the Orange County Library System and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority will break ground on a new, state-of-the-art community and government center, along with a library in Southeast Orlando.

The opening of the new Southeast Community and Government Center (SCGC) represents a significant step in bringing city services closer to residents and businesses in the area. By providing convenient access to essential services, the center aims to meet the needs of the city’s growing population, ensuring that community members can easily engage with local government and access resources.

Encompassing approximately 15,000 square feet, the SCGC will be a versatile, multi-functional facility tailored to meet the diverse needs of the community. Among its features, the center will play a pivotal role in supporting community safety initiatives. Serving as a regional police substation, it will facilitate enhanced coordination among the 17 police districts in the Southeast Orlando area.

Additionally, the SCGC will include a satellite office for the District 1 City Commissioner and will offer convenient access to services such as Permitting, Code Enforcement, Communications and Neighborhood Relations, and Families, Parks and Recreation for residents and visitors.

Moreover, the SCGC will feature public meeting rooms to accommodate resident gatherings and community meetings. The center will also house the Orange County Library System’s newest branch, the Lake Nona library.

The new community and government center is made possible by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development 2022 Community Project Funding Grant and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. One million dollars was awarded to the City of Orlando to help fund the SCGC, with the land being leased from GOAA.

This project promises to deliver substantial benefits to the residents of Southeast Orlando community, aiming to enhance efficiency and responsiveness while fostering a stronger connection between the city and its residents and businesses, ultimately promoting a vibrant and supportive community.

Construction of the Southeast Community and Government Center is expected to be completed by spring 2026.

WHO:
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
District 1 City Commissioner Jim Gray
Orlando Police Chief Eric D. Smith
Orange County Library System Board Trustee Ashley Cisneros Mejia
Greater Orlando Aviation Authority CEO Kevin Thibault

WHEN:
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
10:30 a.m.

WHERE:
McCoy Community Park
7945 Dowden Road

Central Florida News

Supervisor of Elections Warns 25 Residents About Potential Voting Ineligibility

Published

2 weeks ago

November 25, 2024

FNN NEWS

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) – The Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office has issued a formal notice to 25 county residents who may be declared ineligible to vote. According to Florida law, these individuals must contact the Supervisor’s Office within 30 days of this announcement to address their voting eligibility or risk being removed from the Florida Voter Registration System.

This announcement, published on November 25, 2024, aligns with Section 98.075 of the Florida Statutes, which mandates due process for voters identified as potentially ineligible. Supervisor of Elections Glen Gilzean emphasizes the importance of timely action to resolve any discrepancies.

Orange County Supervisor of Elections Issues Notice to Potentially Ineligible Voters
Act Now to Avoid Removal from the Florida Voter Registration System

What This Means for Impacted Voters
If you are listed in the notice:

Contact the Supervisor of Elections Office immediately at (407) 836-2070 for detailed information about the reason for your potential ineligibility.
You can request a hearing to challenge the determination.
Failure to act within 30 days will result in your name being removed from the voter rolls.
If you attempt to vote, your ballot will be provisional and may not be counted unless your eligibility is confirmed within two days after the election.

Complete List of Impacted Voters

Baba, Hassan – 190 Covered Bridge Dr, Ocoee, 34761
Baez, Hector L – 8424 Pocasset Pl, Orlando, 32827
De Santiago, Andres A – 594 Maineline Blvd, Apopka, 32712
Delgado, Jorge – 2216 Bay Leaf Dr, Orlando, 32837
Domenighini, Antonella M – 7816 Murcott Cir, Orlando, 32835
Fleming Damaso, Cierra MD – 1205 Vizcaya Lake Rd Apt 109, Ocoee, 34761
Goynes, Benjamin – 2753 Elmhurst Cir, Orlando, 32810
Jean Charles, Jemima – 7365 Rex Hill Trl, Orlando, 32818-8764
Louis Jeune, Gerlande – 1424 Center St, Ocoee, 34761
McHugh, Michaela M – 2604 Falkner Rd, Orlando, 32810
Middleton, Moya M – 3024 N Powers Dr Apt 176, Orlando, 32818-3281
Monds, Jerome – 1831 Central Park Ave, Orlando, 32807
Morillo, Angel A – 3100 Via Dos, Orlando, 32817
Parente, Michael A – 2001 Glenridge Way Apt 77, Winter Park, 32792-5442
Parente, Sabella E – 2001 Glenridge Way Apt 77, Winter Park, 32792-5442
Pierre, Hassan – 114 Cherry Laurel Dr, Orlando, 32835
Pinto, Robert – 310 W Castle St, Orlando, 32809
Powers, Marcia – 4814 Red Willow Ave, Orlando, 32808
Robinson, Surrell – 426 McFall Ave Apt A, Orlando, 32805
Saintil, Benson – 2013 Rivertree Cir Apt 205, Orlando, 32839
Salazar, Ariana – 3539 Mount Martre Dr Apt 1150, Orlando, 32822
Teague, Tamika R – 1616 W Grant St, Orlando, 32805
Thomas, Jennifer BJ – 7830 Riffle Ln, Orlando, 32818
Washington, Johnathan T – 4828 Lighthouse Cir, Orlando, 32808
Watson, Vanita A – 1900 Mercy Dr Unit 125 B, Orlando, 32808

What’s Next
Residents listed have the right to dispute the determination and provide evidence to confirm their eligibility. The Supervisor of Elections Office offers assistance to navigate this process. It is crucial to act promptly to preserve voting rights.

El Supervisor de Elecciones del Condado Orange Publica Aviso para Posibles Votantes Inelegibles
Actúe Ahora para Evitar la Eliminación del Sistema de Registro de Votantes de Florida

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) – La Oficina del Supervisor de Elecciones del Condado Orange emitió un aviso formal para 25 residentes del condado que podrían ser declarados inelegibles para votar. Según la ley de Florida, estas personas deben comunicarse con la oficina dentro de los próximos 30 días para resolver su elegibilidad o serán eliminadas del Sistema de Registro de Votantes de Florida.

El anuncio, publicado el 25 de noviembre de 2024, cumple con la Sección 98.075 de los Estatutos de Florida, que exige el debido proceso para los votantes identificados como potencialmente inelegibles.

Lo que Esto Significa para los Votantes Afectados
Si aparece en el aviso:

Comuníquese de inmediato al (407) 836-2070 para obtener información sobre la razón de su posible inelegibilidad.
Puede solicitar una audiencia para impugnar la determinación.
Si no actúa dentro de los 30 días, su nombre será eliminado del registro electoral.
Si intenta votar, su boleta será provisional y no se contará a menos que se confirme su elegibilidad dentro de los dos días posteriores a la elección.

Lista Completa de Votantes Afectados (Ver sección anterior para detalles de la dirección)

Próximos Pasos
Los residentes mencionados tienen el derecho de disputar la determinación y proporcionar evidencia que confirme su elegibilidad. Es esencial actuar rápidamente para preservar el derecho al voto.

Central Florida News

Orlando International Airport Gears Up for Busy Thanksgiving Travel Season with Over 1.9 Million Passengers Expected

Published

3 weeks ago

November 18, 2024

Willie David

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – Orlando International Airport (MCO) is preparing for one of its busiest travel seasons as more than 1.9 million passengers are expected to travel through its terminals during the Thanksgiving holiday period, running from November 22 through December 3, 2024.

“With our experience from the past two holiday seasons, Orlando International Airport is ready to handle this year’s robust travel surge,” said Kevin J. Thibault, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. “Our staff, security teams, and vendors are energized to provide a seamless experience for our guests.”

Despite a slight drop in passenger volume compared to 2023, this year’s projections surpass pre-pandemic travel numbers. MCO handled 1.75 million travelers during the same period in 2022. December 1, 2024, is forecasted to be the busiest travel day, with 181,688 passengers arriving and departing.

Economic Impact for Orlando:

The influx of passengers bolsters Orlando’s economy, supporting the tourism, hospitality, and transportation sectors during one of the most crucial periods for local businesses. As a gateway to Central Florida’s theme parks, resorts, and attractions, MCO plays a vital role in driving revenue for the region.

Traveler Tips for a Smooth Journey:

Follow the 3-2-1 Rule: Be at the ticket counter 3 hours before your flight, at security checkpoints 2 hours before, and at the gate 1 hour before departure.
Reserve Parking Early: Use MCO’s Reserved Parking program via the Orlando MCO mobile app or the airport’s website. Additional spaces are available in the renamed surface lots—Atlantis, Endeavour, and Discovery—but they require E-Pass or SunPass Plus.
Consider Alternatives: With parking expected to reach capacity, rideshares, taxis, or drop-offs are highly recommended.

Important Reminders:

Stay Updated: Download the Orlando MCO app for live updates on parking and security wait times.
Be Prepared: Check for prohibited items, secure luggage tags, and ensure pets have leashes for TSA screening.
Be Patient: Expect large crowds and potential delays throughout the journey.