ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Former Florida State Rep. Daisy Morales is criticizing a $40,000 contribution from a political committee supporting Democratic rival Samuel Vilchez Santiago to the Florida House Democratic Campaign Committee, arguing the expenditure raises questions about priorities as voters in Florida House District 43 contend with rising living costs.

Morales, who is seeking to return to the Florida House, made the criticism in a campaign press release as the Aug. 18 Democratic primary enters its final stretch.

The race is a rematch of the 2020 Democratic primary for the former House District 48, when Morales defeated Vilchez Santiago and three other candidates before winning the general election.

Following legislative redistricting, many neighborhoods and communities previously included in District 48 are now within District 43.

MORALES TARGETS $40,000 PAC CONTRIBUTION

At the center of Morales’ criticism is a $40,000 contribution by Central Floridians for Change to the Florida House Democratic Campaign Committee.

The political committee has supported Vilchez Santiago’s candidacy.

Morales said the expenditure contrasts with the financial pressures facing families across East Orlando and other District 43 communities, where residents are dealing with the costs of housing, groceries, insurance, health care, transportation and other necessities.

“District 43 families are facing an affordability crisis, and they deserve leadership focused on their everyday challenges,” Morales said. “Sending $40,000 to a Tallahassee political committee tells voters something about priorities, judgment and leadership. I believe District 43 families should come first.”

Morales also questioned what the money could have accomplished if directed toward community organizations.

“Imagine what $40,000 could mean to organizations serving District 43 — food-assistance programs, veterans organizations, senior programs, youth initiatives, neighborhood groups and other nonprofits helping families every day,” Morales said. “Those are the kinds of investments that can strengthen neighborhoods and improve lives.”

Political committees, however, are separate from nonprofit organizations and can legally spend money for political purposes subject to applicable campaign finance laws. Morales’ criticism centers on the political priorities represented by the contribution rather than an allegation that the contribution itself was unlawful.

‘VOTERS NEED MORE THAN TALKING POINTS’

Morales used the contribution to challenge Vilchez Santiago’s campaign message and question whether his political support aligns with the priorities of District 43 residents.

“Voters deserve more than talking points about putting people first,” Morales said. “Actions matter. When $40,000 goes to a Tallahassee political committee while families here are struggling to make ends meet, voters have every right to ask whether their community is truly the first priority.”

Morales said she believes financial decisions provide voters with information about how candidates and their supporters establish priorities.

“A state representative helps make decisions involving billions of taxpayer dollars,” Morales said. “How someone approaches money, priorities and accountability matters. Voters should look beyond campaign slogans and examine the decisions being made right now.”

Morales characterized the contribution as a “sneak peek” at the judgment and leadership voters should evaluate before casting their ballots.

“I believe this $40,000 contribution gives voters a preview of the judgment and priorities they should evaluate when deciding who they want representing them in Tallahassee,” Morales said.

2026 CONTEST IS A REMATCH OF 2020 PRIMARY

The Democratic primary brings Morales and Vilchez Santiago together for the second time in six years.

In 2020, both sought the Democratic nomination for the former Florida House District 48.

Morales finished first in the five-candidate Democratic primary with 4,897 votes, or 39.89%, while Vilchez Santiago received 3,676 votes, or 29.94%, according to official Orange County election results.

The difference was 1,221 votes and nearly 10 percentage points.

Morales went on to win the 2020 general election and represented House District 48 from 2020 to 2022.

“We have seen this race before,” Morales said. “In 2020, voters looked beyond endorsements, political organizations and campaign spending. They examined the candidates and elected me as their Democratic nominee. Six years later, I trust District 43 voters to make their own decision again.”

The political landscape has changed since their first matchup because of redistricting, but the current District 43 includes many neighborhoods and communities that were previously represented within District 48.

That gives the contest an unusual rematch dynamic, with some voters being asked to choose again between the same two Democratic candidates for a Florida House seat.

FUNDRAISING AND ENDORSEMENTS VS. ELECTED EXPERIENCE

Vilchez Santiago has entered the closing weeks of the campaign with substantial fundraising and organizational support, including endorsements from Democratic elected officials, labor organizations and other political groups.

Morales has sought to turn those advantages into a political contrast.

She describes Vilchez Santiago as the “political-establishment candidate” while presenting herself as the “people-first candidate” with previous legislative and elected experience.

The descriptions are characterizations by Morales and her campaign.

“My opponent can have the political establishment. I want the trust of the people,” Morales said. “Endorsements do not cast ballots — voters do. District 43 voters will decide who represents them, and their endorsement is the one that matters most to me.”

Morales has also pointed to the similarities between 2020 and 2026, arguing that Vilchez Santiago held advantages in fundraising and endorsements during their first contest but nevertheless lost the Democratic nomination.

“In 2020, voters had a choice, and they elected me as their Democratic nominee,” Morales said. “Now many of those same communities have another opportunity to compare our experience, our priorities and our judgment.”

MORALES CAMPAIGNS ON EIGHT YEARS IN ELECTED OFFICE

Morales is emphasizing her eight years of elected public service as one of the central distinctions between the candidates.

She was elected to the Orange Soil and Water Conservation District in 2014 and served six years before winning election to the Florida House in 2020.

Morales served two years in the Legislature, giving her eight consecutive years in elected office.

She has made that experience a centerpiece of her campaign to return to Tallahassee.

“I am not asking voters to imagine what I might do in elected office,” Morales said. “I have served them before. They can examine my votes, my legislation, my constituent service and the state resources I fought to bring back to our communities.”

During her House tenure, Morales voted on state budgets exceeding $100 billion, sponsored and supported legislation that became law and advocated for state appropriations benefiting Central Florida and other communities.

“I have done the job, and I am ready to do it again,” Morales said. “If District 43 voters send me back to the Florida House, I will be ready on Day One to work on affordability, responsible state spending, stronger public safety, quality education and greater opportunities for working families, seniors, veterans, first responders, homeowners and small businesses.”

MORALES: ‘DISTRICT 43 COMES FIRST’

Morales said the PAC contribution illustrates what she wants voters to consider when comparing the candidates: who will come first when political and community priorities compete.

“District 43 families should never feel like they are taking a back seat to political organizations,” Morales said. “They deserve a state representative who wakes up every day thinking about their families, their neighborhoods and their future.”

She argued that the election should ultimately be decided on experience, priorities and the candidates’ records rather than fundraising totals or endorsements.

“The question is bigger than one contribution,” Morales said. “The question is who comes first when important decisions have to be made. For me, the answer will always be the people of District 43.”

Morales added: “Public service is about serving people — not political organizations. District 43 comes first because the people we are elected to serve must always come before politics.”

The Democratic primary is Aug. 18, 2026, with early voting continuing through Aug. 16.