Central Florida News
Ruth’s List Florida Endorses “Ineffective” Orange County Lawmaker in HD 44 Race
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – The voters in Florida House District 44 will vote in a rematch election between former State Representative Daisy Morales and incumbent State Representative Rita Harris as the 2024 Primary race begin to heat up over Ruth’s List Florida endorsement of Harris.
Morales campaign recently fired off a press statement responding to a news article written in FloridaPolitics.com announcing Ruth’s List Florida endorsement of Rep. Harris, a first-term lawmaker who defeated Morales during the August 2022 Democratic primary.
The Honorable Jennifer “Rita” Harris, Florida State Representative (2022-2024) Photo: Florida House
Morales continue to slam Harris as “ineffective” and called her the “worst lawmaker in the Orange County state delegation.”
Rita Harris’ 2023 Report Card: Bills Passed 0
“With a disastrous record of zero wins in passing seven different pieces of legislation in the Florida House, Harris recently filed for re-election, kicking off her campaign as an ineffective lawmaker,” Morales stated previously.
Daisy Morales’ Campaign full statement:
“Ruth’s List is wasting its time endorsing an ineffective candidate and showing its partiality ahead of the 2024 election,” said former State Representative Daisy Morales.
In 2014, I was first elected to countywide office and trained with Ruth’s List several years ago like other women candidates; and stood alongside Ruth’s List on the front lines to support them, yet while I was the only woman running against four men in 2020, they still choose not to endorse me, despite how much I supported them. As the only woman—and only Puerto Rican woman—running for a State House seat at the time, endorsing me would’ve been a powerful sisterhood statement on their part and showed what it means for Puerto Rican girls who want to make a difference in the Democratic Pro-Choice women movement. Ruth’s List missed a prime opportunity.
The Honorable Daisy Morales, Florida State Representative (2020-2022) Photo: Florida House
“As for the disinformation still being spread about me, I didn’t break with my Party on a handful of bills. One, that’s vague.
Do the homework and specify which bills because while the announcement in Florida Politics links to HB 1033, the incorrect bill is typed out, showing “HB 1220” instead. Two, I also love how the 2021 tax bill, HB 15 taxation legislation, I co-sponsored with nearly 10 Democratic lawmakers, is used as an example of me breaking with the Party when in fact Democrats voted in favor of the Senate companion bill (SB 50) since it included a tax break for Floridians.
Since the Republicans are the majority, there will be times when we vote with them on bills. It happens.
“What is the magical number for how many times you choose to make a bipartisan vote or not vote at all that suddenly makes you a problem in the eyes of the Party? Because there are many examples of other Democrats voting with Republicans on legislation or not voting, yet I don’t see anyone else getting ostracized or smeared.
“I was voted a pro-Floridian lawmaker by two Progressive organizations, Progress Florida and Florida Watch, based on my voting record, which includes reproductive freedom. My voting record was graded at 97 percent in 2022 in the top three percent of 56 Democratic lawmakers along with Rep. Anna Eskamani, Rep. Ben Diamond, and then representative Carlos Smith, above many of the most prominent names in the Party. As a rookie lawmaker at that. I’m not sure how anyone can paint a broad brush saying I don’t vote with my Party.
“Now that Harris’s first Legislative Session (2023) is behind her, the voters of District 44 and the state of Florida have something to measure her by: her legislative record.
In her first term, she delivered sound bites, but not results for the people of District 44 and the people of Florida. Out of her seven sponsored bills, one had no Senate sponsor, and one, the Holocaust Bill, only made it through one committee, though it should’ve made it to the House floor and been signed into law by the governor.
Morales Highlight Legislative Accomplishments
“As a freshman lawmaker, I was able to move my very first piece of legislation, the Barber Services bill (HB 855), to the House floor with bipartisan support (with seven cosponsors) and it got signed into law in the middle of the pandemic. The language for my Commercial Telephone Solicitation bill (HB 857) was included in another piece of legislation that was signed into law, also during the pandemic. And while my Educational Opportunities for Disabled Veterans bill (HB 1347) passed on the House floor (with nearly 20 cosponsors) and the Senate companion bill died in 2021, I re-introduced it (HB 45) in 2022 and it was signed into law.
“Also in 2022, my Property Tax Exemption bill (HB 13), which was added to the massive historic taxation bill (HB 7071) and signed into law, gives widowed, widower, blind, and totally disabled Floridians an increased homestead tax break from $500 to $5,000. Plus, my Specialty Tag legislation (HB 213) for those with Down Syndrome was added into the larger Specialty Tags legislation that was signed into law.
“That’s results, and that’s what matters to the voters.
HB 1033 / SB 1076 Reproductive Health Protections Rights Bill Received Lukewarm Support from Democrats
“Ruth’s List called Harris a ‘champion’ for reproductive rights, but her reproductive bill wasn’t signed into law. She—and Ruth’s List—couldn’t even get the Party to fully get behind her to cosponsor her reproductive rights bill, and there are plenty of Democrats in the Florida House to back her. Three, Reps. Eskamani, Casello, and Edmonds, out of 34 Democrats cosponsored the bill. The Democrats in the Florida Senate didn’t cosponsor the companion bill. It was dead on arrival. There are 12 named Democrats in the State Senate—male and female alike—who tout themselves as very passionate about reproductive rights, yet none of the other 11 cosponsored that bill.
“Ruth’s List is an advocacy group, but it appears they dropped the ball on getting Democratic cosponsors for this bill. The voters would expect that reproductive rights legislation this important wouldn’t be given to a rookie to push through committee, especially in light of the Roe v. Wade reversal.
This is legislation you give to at least a sophomore or definitely senior lawmaker to make sure it gets support and makes it to the House floor for a vote. Veteran lawmakers understand the ins and outs of how to get legislation moving—including working across the aisle, which is how you get results when your party is not the majority.
“Women’s advocacy groups like Ruth’s List are much needed, but they must be fair and impartial, not a hub for cliquish behavior, because then the women of Florida suffer with no results that benefit them.
“Champions get things done and deliver results for the people of Florida.” Rita Harris is no champion to the voters of Florida House District 44.
Central Florida News
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Central Florida News
Puerto Rican Business Owner Tatiana Fernandez running for Orange County Commission District 8
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The Orange County Board of County Commissioners recently approved a new District 8 seat to address the county’s continued population growth and expanding communities.
Tatiana Fernandez officially entered the race for the newly created Orange County Commission District 8 seat after announcing her candidacy on social media and filing the necessary paperwork with the Orange County Supervisor of Elections.
Fernandez Highlights Business, Advocacy, and Community Leadership Experience
Fernandez, a Puerto Rican-born business owner, autism advocate, and community leader, said her campaign is focused on strengthening families, supporting small businesses, and expanding opportunities throughout Orange County.
“Latinos are shaping the future of America,” Fernandez stated in her campaign announcement. “Together, we can build stronger communities, greater opportunities, and a brighter future for our children.”
Fernandez currently serves on the Orange County Commission on Aging Board, where she advocates for programs and services benefiting seniors throughout the county.
Her professional and community background includes:
• Business owner since 2015 with extensive experience in entrepreneurship and business development.
• Owner of Pantera Technical Services, a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida.
• On-the-job training provider for Florida Vocational Rehabilitation students since 2019.
• Autism advocate serving families in Seminole County since 2007.
• Fully bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Born and raised in Puerto Rico.
• Resident of Florida since 2004 after living in Boston from 1994 to 2000.
• Academic studies in banking, pre-law, finance, government relations, and healthcare administration.
• Volunteer with the Lake Mary High School Robotics Program from 2017 to 2020.
• Registered volunteer for former Florida State Representative Daisy Morales in both Orlando and Tallahassee offices.
• Candidate for Florida’s 7th Congressional District during the 2022 and 2024 election cycles.
Campaign Focused on Families, Seniors, and Small Businesses
Fernandez said Orange County residents deserve leadership that listens to the community and understands the challenges facing working families, senior citizens, and small-business owners.
“Our community deserves leadership that listens, works hard, and truly understands the needs of families, seniors, and small businesses,” Fernandez said. “I look forward to continuing to serve Orange County with integrity, compassion, and dedication.”
She is encouraging supporters to volunteer, share campaign information, and contribute to her effort to represent the newly established district.
Crowded Field Emerges for New District 8 Seat
Fernandez joins a growing field of candidates seeking election to the new Orange County Commission District 8 seat. Other announced candidates include Vic Torres, Jeannette Quinones-Hernandez, Isaiah Louis Anderson, Julio Rocha, and George Haas.
Candidate qualifying is scheduled for June 8-12, 2026. The primary election will be held on August 18, 2026, with voters selecting the first commissioner to represent the newly created district.
The District 8 seat is expected to be one of Orange County’s most closely watched races as candidates compete to represent a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse constituency.
Central Florida News
FNN Honors Teen Reporter Isabella Schmitt as She Graduates and Pursues Communications Degree
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Florida National News proudly celebrates Isabella Schmitt as she marks an important milestone with her high school graduation and prepares to begin an exciting new chapter pursuing Communications in college.
Over the years, Isabella has represented the next generation of young voices with professionalism, creativity, determination, and passion.
Through reporting opportunities, community involvement, and media experiences, she has continued to shine both on and off camera while inspiring others through her dedication and work ethic.
Jenny Rosario, Vice President of Florida National News, praised Isabella’s accomplishments and bright future ahead.
“Watching Isabella grow both personally and professionally has been truly inspiring,” Rosario said. “She represents the future of journalism, communications, and storytelling. Her passion, confidence, and commitment to making a positive impact through media are remarkable, and we are incredibly proud of all she has accomplished.”
Rosario added that Isabella’s decision to pursue Communications in college is a natural next step for someone with such strong talent and determination.
“The world of media and communications needs more young voices like Isabella’s,” Rosario said. “We know this is only the beginning of many great accomplishments to come.”
Florida National News congratulates Isabella Schmitt and the entire Class of 2026 on this exciting achievement.
“Keep dreaming big and telling stories that matter,” Rosario added.
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