Florida
Orange Soil & Water Board Declares Removal Process Against Supervisor Morales Invalid
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – With the Orange Soil & Water Conservation District Board’s compliance issues, the Board couldn’t hold the vote to remove the only Hispanic and longest serving member, Supervisor Daisy Morales during Friday’s monthly meeting.
“More than 256,000 Orange County voters voted to re-elect me to another four-year team,” Morales said. “This Board, along with former and current soil and water candidates, attempted to overturn the will of the people on a sham process for political gain. This is an outrage and someone must be held accountable.”
Witnesses to the Spectacle
While OSWCD meetings typically only have one or two members of the public in attendance, today’s meeting, given the intended vote, seemed too juicy for some to miss. A few keen attendees showed up, including Sean McQuade, who ran against Supervisor Morales in 2018 and is currently running for Seat 3, a vacant seat, Daniel Romeo, who is also running for Seat 3, Mark Meta, current candidate for Supervisor Tiffany Dziekan‘s seat (Seat 5), Orange County Democratic Party Chair Wes Hodge, former Orange County Black Democratic Black Caucus Vice President Russell Drake, and a reporter from the Orlando Sentinel.
For the first time in a while, all four Supervisors were present. Nicole McLaren resigned from the Board Wednesday. Although, given the fact that she never submitted her Oath of Office form and $10 commission fee after her 2016 re-election, then-Governor Rick Scott never issued a commission certificate recognizing her as an elected official, technically making her seat vacant under State law for the duration of her second term.
Why the Vote Didn’t Happen
The Vote’s Very Motive is Nullified
Supervisor Morales entered the meeting well aware that the Board wanted to remove her on the basis of missing too many meetings. She explained to the Board that she complied with the agreed-upon call-in policy in lieu of being present, insisting that she called in and even heard the entire meeting each time, but whenever she tried to speak, no one could hear her.
Eddie, an audio/video specialist who works for Orange County and runs the A/V for the Board meetings, educated the Board on how to properly bring callers into a meeting, including the use of a code that he would need to give them in order to hear callers.
This enlightened the other Board members to the fact that Supervisor Morales’s “absences” were actually not willful. She indeed called in. She simply wasn’t heard.
FNN News questioned Board Chair and Supervisor Michael Barber about the Board’s compliance regarding its recent website. FNN News noticed that the Board’s website had only one upcoming meeting post for the April 2019 meeting, which was posted on May 1, 2019.
On the Orange Soil & Water Conservation District website, orangesoilandwater.org, this public announcement of the April 2019 meeting was in fact posted May 1, 2019.
Additionally, there were no meeting minutes or meeting agendas for 2019 on the website, all of which is out of compliance with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (FDEO)’s Soil & Water Conservation District website requirements. FDEO is the third State agency the Board is out of compliance with.
As a result, Florida National News filed a public records request with Orange Soil & Water Conservation District Board Chair Michael Barber seeking documents related to the removal process of Supervisors Nicole McLaren and Daisy Morales.
The Vote Gets Postponed for Non-Compliance
When asked by the Orlando Sentinel if she would attend Friday’s meeting to defend her seat, Supervisor Morales replied in statement Wednesday evening: “I have nothing to defend. I’m not in violation of anything.” It turns out she might have been right.
In October 2019, USDA Conservationist Chuck O’Rourke emailed the OSWCD Board a memorandum from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Office of the General Counsel on how to legally remove a Board member, which is what initiated the Board’s goal to remove Nicole McLaren and its only sitting Hispanic member. However, it appears the other members didn’t do their homework.
When Board Chair Barber asked Treasurer Dziekan if she sent the legal notices to Morales and McLaren for their removal, she admitted she never sent them out. State law requires that the notices must be served to the concerned party and actually received by the concerned party seven days prior to the meeting. With that revelation, the vote couldn’t happen.
This Vote Was Doomed from the Start
The Board could never have made the vote to remove Nicole McLaren or Supervisor Morales Friday while coming into the vote non-compliant:
- The Board has not adopted a policy, bylaws or resolutions detailing Board member attendance requirements on which to base a vote for removal for neglect of duty and malfeasance. According to the 2019 meeting minutes, Nicole McLaren missed 10 meetings, Supervisor Dziekan missed seven, and while the meeting minutes present Morales as missing nine, her missed meetings shrank to none after Eddie explained the call-in process for the Chambers.
- No letters were sent to McLaren or Morales notifying them in writing within seven days of the meeting, as required by State law
- The meeting wasn’t publicly published on the Board’s website within 7 days of the meeting for public notice, as required by State law
- Supervisor Curtis’s seat, by State law, is currently vacant due to her delinquent Oath of Office form needing a notary stamp, so her vote wouldn’t technically count. Board Chair Michael Barber never addressed Cutis’s failure to have a commission certificate signed by Governor Ron DeSantis to legally hold office on the Board.
“This vote would need a super majority–four of five votes, not just three,” Supervisor Morales told FNN News Friday. “We as a Board need to get a full understanding of the laws that govern our District and do whatever is necessary to make sure this never happens to another Supervisor.”
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Mellissa Thomas is Editor for Florida National News. | mellissa.thomas@floridanationalnews.com
Siegel, widely known as the “Queen of Versailles” and the widow of late timeshare Billionaire David Siegel, welcomed community leaders, business professionals, supporters, and guests interested in learning more about Razack’s campaign and priorities.
A Different Kind of Candidate
As voters across The Villages, Sumter County, Lake County, Citrus County, Hernando County, Polk County, and portions of Pasco County prepare for the August 18, 2026 Republican primary, Razack is positioning himself as a candidate whose professional experience differs significantly from that of traditional politicians.
A board-certified neurosurgeon, Razack has spent decades treating patients, leading medical teams, teaching future physicians, practicing law, and building healthcare organizations.
If elected, Razack would join a small number of physicians serving in Congress and could become Florida’s first neurosurgeon elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
The most prominent American neurosurgeon to enter national politics is Ben Carson. Although he never served in Congress, Carson gained national recognition through his 2016 presidential campaign and later served as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in President Donald Trump‘s Cabinet.
Healthcare Expertise at the Forefront
During the gathering, Razack discussed issues affecting residents throughout Central Florida, including healthcare access, Medicare, physician shortages, veterans’ healthcare, government accountability, public safety, and economic opportunity.
“Congress has many career politicians, but very few physicians who have dedicated their careers to caring for patients and solving complex problems,” Razack told Florida National News during an interview at the Siegel estate. “As Washington debates healthcare, Medicare, physician shortages, and patient care, it is critical that medical professionals have a seat at the table and help shape policies that impact millions of Americans.”
Razack emphasized that his background in medicine, law, education, and business provides a unique perspective on public policy and government reform.
Appeal to The Villages and Senior Voters
The Villages and surrounding communities represent one of the nation’s largest concentrations of retirees and senior citizens, making healthcare and retirement security among the most important issues for many voters.
Razack’s campaign is expected to focus heavily on protecting Medicare for current beneficiaries, expanding access to physicians and specialists, supporting veterans’ healthcare services, reducing unnecessary healthcare bureaucracy, and promoting fiscal responsibility in Washington.
Supporters argue that his experience making life-and-death decisions as a neurosurgeon demonstrates the type of leadership and accountability voters are seeking from elected officials.
From the Operating Room to Congress
Razack told attendees that his campaign is centered on bringing practical problem-solving experience to Washington.
“For decades, I have worked in environments where results matter and failure is not an option,” Razack said. “The challenges facing our nation require leaders who can analyze problems, build consensus, and deliver solutions.”
As the Republican primary campaign begins to take shape, Razack is expected to continue introducing himself to voters throughout Florida’s 11th Congressional District while emphasizing his record of service in medicine, education, law, healthcare leadership, and business development.
Listed below are the candidates currently filed for Florida’s 11th Congressional District following the retirement announcement of Daniel Webster, late April 2026.
Republican Candidates
- Carey Baker
- Chanelle Krisette Barnes
- Ivette Palomo
- Nizam Razack
- Anthony Sabatini
- Ryan Lee Smith
- Tim Wilkins
- Mike Wilnau
Democratic Candidates
- Barbara Harden Hall (“Barbie”)
- Walter J. Walker
- Royal Sylvester Webster II
- Dan Williams
Libertarian Candidate
- Ralph Groves
The Republican primary election is scheduled for Aug. 18, 2026.
Florida
Florida Sen. Shevrin Jones Will Not Seek Re-Election, Fuels Speculation About Congressional Run
Florida
Former Air Force Colonel and Physician Rudolph Moise Seeks Florida Congressional Seat Vacated by Frederica Wilson
MIAMI, Fla. (FNN) — South Florida Congresswoman Frederica Wilson has announced she will not seek reelection to Florida’s 24th Congressional District, creating an open-seat race that is expected to draw significant attention ahead of the 2026 election cycle.
Even before Wilson’s retirement announcement became public, Dr. Rudolph “Rudy” Moise had already shifted his political focus. Moise withdrew from the crowded race for Florida’s 20th Congressional District to pursue a campaign for the seat currently held by Wilson.
Moise Brings Military, Medical, Legal, and Business Experience
Moise is a longtime physician, attorney, businessman, and retired U.S. Air Force colonel. Over the years, he has built a public profile through his medical practice, community involvement, and repeated campaigns for federal office in South Florida.
His decision to enter the race immediately positions him among the most recognizable candidates seeking to succeed Wilson in Congress.
No Stranger to Running Against Wilson
Moise is no stranger to challenging Wilson at the ballot box.
He previously mounted two congressional campaigns against the longtime Democratic incumbent but was unsuccessful in his efforts to unseat her. Despite those defeats, Moise maintained a visible presence in South Florida politics and continued advocating on issues related to healthcare, economic development, public safety, and government accountability.
With Wilson now stepping aside, Moise will have his first opportunity to compete for the seat without facing the incumbent congresswoman.
Political observers note that Moise’s prior campaigns have given him valuable name recognition and an established network of supporters throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Redistricting Could Reshape the Political Landscape
Florida’s congressional map underwent significant changes following redistricting approved by Governor Ron DeSantis. The revised boundaries altered several congressional districts across the state, including portions of South Florida.
The new district configuration could create different political dynamics than those Moise faced during his previous campaigns against Wilson.
As candidates begin to organize for the 2026 election cycle, the open-seat contest is expected to attract a competitive field of Democratic and Republican contenders seeking to represent one of South Florida’s most prominent congressional districts.
With Wilson’s departure ending an era in South Florida politics, voters will soon decide who will succeed the veteran congresswoman and represent Florida’s 24th Congressional District in Washington.
