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

KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA (FNN NEWS) — The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of a man following a violent machete attack that took place in Kissimmee on Monday evening.

INCIDENT DETAILS

On June 9, 2025, at approximately 5:13 p.m., an Osceola County Sheriff’s Deputy was conducting a routine patrol near Circle K, located at 4692 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, Florida. While stopped at an intersection, the deputy was approached by a woman who urgently reported that her brother had just been attacked with a machete.

The woman informed the deputy that the suspect was currently transporting her injured brother to the hospital.

INVESTIGATION AND ARREST

Deputies immediately responded to the hospital, where they learned the attack stemmed from a verbal altercation between the suspect and the victim at the Circle K.

The suspect, identified as Angel Ramos-Arce (DOB: 01/15/1990), was quickly located. Deputies conducted a search of his vehicle, where they discovered blood evidence inside the truck’s cabin. Further inspection of the vehicle’s bed revealed the machete used in the assault.

CHARGES FILED

Angel Ramos-Arce was promptly arrested and charged with Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon. He was transported to and booked into the Osceola County Jail.

CALL FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

Authorities are asking anyone with additional information related to this incident to contact the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at (407) 348-2222.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs and the Public Art Review Board invite artists to submit work – existing or conceptual – for the 11th annual Sculpture on the Lawn exhibition, an outdoor display featured at the entrance to the Orange County Administration Center in the heart of downtown Orlando, Florida, where the works are visible to approximately 10,000 people daily.

Sculpture on the Lawn is open to experienced professional sculptors as well as students and emerging artists who specialize in the design, construction, and installation of outdoor sculptures. Up to four sculptures will be selected for display from January 2026 to January 2027.

Selection Criteria: The three main considerations are creativity, site appropriateness and durability. Images of finished works and conceptual drawings can be submitted. If the proposed project is not a finished work, artists need to provide information to assure the Selection Panel of what it will look like and that it will be completed and installed as designed by January 2026 as well as examples of past work.

Sites and Safety: While artistic quality is very important, works will be reviewed for durability, safety, and appropriateness to the site. Artworks must be structurally sound and able to withstand an outdoor environment in a largely unsupervised area that is not protected from weather or curious viewers. Orlando has a subtropical climate that is hot and humid with intense sun and seasonal heavy rains and hurricane-force winds. Avoiding potential problems such as deteriorating rust and fading should be considered. Orange County provides 12’ x 12’ concrete pads. Sculptures must be firmly secured to the pads.

Sculptures may have electrical components, as electrical outlets are available at each sculpture pad. Sculptors are responsible for securing wire connections for safety.

Selection Panel: Members of the Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs Public Art Review Board will make the selections. The Arts & Cultural Affairs Public Art Project Coordinator serves as the non-voting Chair of the Selection panel.

Honorarium: Each artist will be awarded $5,000 as a fee for the annual loan of his or her artwork and to help offset any necessary transportation, installation, and housing costs. No other compensation will be provided. A payment of $4,000 will be made upon installation and processing of required paperwork, and $1,000 will be paid upon removal and processing of required paperwork.

Artist Responsibilities: Selected artists must send the weight of sculpture, specific installation instructions, to coordinate with installation crew and Orange County Staff. Artists are responsible for transporting the artwork to the site on the specified date. If artwork is being imported to the United States, the artist’s shipping/customs agent must be both the verified exporter and importer for receiving.

Insurance: Orange County will insure the artwork up to its stated value or $50,000, whichever is less, for theft or major vandalism once installed. The artist will be responsible for any repairs needed due to fabrication defects or reasonable wear and tear of the object in a public location. Artists are encouraged but not required to secure liability insurance.

Sales: Sales of artworks are encouraged. Any sales inquiries will be forwarded to the artist or designated agent. No commission will be charged. Sculptures must remain on site until January 2027.

Application Requirements:

• There is a 6-foot minimum height preference. The sky is the limit for the maximum height. The sculpture base must fit within the 12’ x 12’ sculpture pad.
• Artists may submit up to five applications. Each sculpture must be submitted as a separate application.
• A minimum of 1 image is required, and a maximum is 5. Images of finished works or conceptual drawings can be submitted. If it is not a finished work, provide additional information to assure the Selection Panel of what it will look like and that it will be completed and installed as designed.
• Clearly indicate if the work is existing or a proposed new work.
• Remove artist names and watermarks from images.
• DEADLINE: Wednesday, June 4, 2025. Applications, resumes, images and other materials must be submitted by midnight through the CaFÉ online service.

Timeline:

• Proposals due: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 (midnight MT)
• Notification of acceptance: On or before June 17, 2024
• Installation Day: Thursday, January 15, 2026
• Opening Reception: Friday, January 16, 2026 (5:30 to 6:30pm EST)
• International Sculpture Day: Saturday, April 25, 2026 (Sculptor participation expected)
• Sculpture Removal: Thursday, January 21, 2027

Contact: Dawn Knight, Public Art Project Coordinator, Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs at Dawn.Knight@ocfl.net, 407-836-5540.

The mission of Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs: “To elevate Central Florida’s arts and culture to that befitting a diverse, world-class community.”

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