Orlando
Supervisor Daisy Morales Considering Running for State Representative Amy Mercado’s Seat
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District (OSWCD) Supervisor Daisy Morales (D) says she’s considering a run for State Representative Amy Mercado‘s District 48 seat. The seat is considered a safe district for Democrats with a large Hispanic population. Mercado (D-Orlando) recently filed paperwork to run against incumbent Orange County Property Appraiser Rick Singh (D) in the 2020 primary election.
Source: Facebook
House District 48 covers central northern Orange County, including large Hispanic communities, from Aazalea Park to Meadow Woods.
“Representative Mercado has done a great job representing the residents in House District 48 in Tallahassee,” Morales recently told Florida National News. “If I decide to run, I will seek to expand upon the representative’s work as we move the district and state beyond COVID-19 pandemic.”
Morales shared with Florida National News that if she runs, her platform will include:
- Advocating for small businesses and workers’ rights
- Healthcare
- Environment
- Florida agriculture and helping farmers succeed
- Protecting Florida’s most vulnerable populations, especially seniors and the special needs community
Running for public office during a pandemic will be an uphill battle, especially for candidates without serious name recognition and a lack of direct engagement with the voters. Knocking on a resident’s door wearing a mask and other personal protective equipment may not be the best or safe campaign strategy to win over voters.
House District 48 had approximately 25 precincts open to the voters in 2018. Morales and Amy Mercado both defeated their opponents in each precinct by a landslide, according to Orange County Supervisor of Elections’ records. Morales and Mercado got no less than (54.37%) 55% of the votes in any precinct.
Both women nabbed a minimum of 55% (Daisy Morales in her re-election for Orange Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor) and 60% (Amy Mercado in her re-election for State Representative) in their respective elections in District 48 in 2018. Election data taken from the Orange County Supervisor of Elections website.
“As an elected official, I made it a priority to actively participate in numerous public and private events to support our residents on local and state issues that matter to them,” Morales noted. “I will continue to listen to elected officials, community leaders, residents and my family regarding the next step.”
Supervisor Morales is currently serving a second four-year term on the Soil & Water Board after winning re-election in 2018 with 256,000 votes against her opponent by a supermajority of Orange County votes. She was first elected in 2014 by defeating three opponents in a four-candidate countywide race.
Two other candidates filed to run for House District 48: Anthony Tsonis and Nelson Pena, both Democrats.
The ballot qualifying deadline is June 12, and the primary election happens August 18. No Republican challengers have filed at this point.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN Sports) – Scottie Scheffler wins his second red cardigan at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, today, along with $4 million of the $20 million prize pool. The red cardigan was first awarded in 2017, in memory of Arnold Palmer who passed the year before. Scheffler first won the API in 2022.
Scottie Scheffler wins the Arnold Palmer Invitational. (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)
The number one ranked golfer in the world, Scheffler finished at 15 under par for the four day tournament, carding a 66 today. Wyndham Clark finished in second place at 10 under par. API defending champion, Kurt Kitayama, did not make the cut, this weekend, finishing 7 over par after the first two rounds on Thursday and Friday.
This coming week, the top golfers head to TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, for the 50th anniversary of The Players Championship. The winner will walk away with $4.5 million of the $25 million up for grabs. This is the PGA Tour’s largest regular season purse. Stay tuned to www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – Lake Nona resident, Lydia Ko, has won the 2024 Hilton Grand Vacations LPGA Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, while Mets All-Star Second Baseman, Jeff McNeil, has won the celebrities and amateurs competition. The four day tournament wrapped up Sunday. Ko takes home $225,000 of the $1.5 million prize pool, while baseball player McNeil wins $100,000 of the $500,000 designated for the athletes and entertainers.
Lydia Ko and Jeff McNeil win the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, Sunday, January 21, 2024. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News
Ko finished at -14, two strokes ahead of Alexa Pano. Defending champion, Brooke Henderson, finished third at ten under par. McNeil ended with 138 points using the Modified Stableford scoring system, in his first time competing in this tournament. Annika Sorenstam finished in second place amongst the celebrity golfers, with 136. Former Major League Baseball pitchers Derek Lowe and Mark Mulder tied for third place at 135.
The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions also announced today that they have extended their agreement with the LPGA to continue this tournament at Lake Nona for another five years, with a 65% increase in the prize pool money.
Stay tuned to Florida National News for more, and be sure to follow our Florida National News page on Facebook for more photos and videos from the tournament.
ORLANDO, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions is back at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando Thursday, 1/18 through Sunday, 1/21. This tournament kicks off the LPGA Tour’s 74th season, featuring top women golfers, who have qualified by winning a tournament in 2022 or 2023, playing alongside celebrities from the world of sports, entertainment, and music.
Annika Sorenstam practices on the driving range for the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. (Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)
Comedy fans can watch Larry The Cable Guy entertain the crowd with his one-liners and banter. “Fresh Prince” fans can tune in to Alfonso Ribeiro in hopes of seeing him dance “The Carlton.” Bachelor fans can follow Ben Higgins or Wells Adams to see if they’re passing out any roses.
Sports fans can see some true legends in a different light. Basketball fans can look for Vince Carter, Ray Allen, or Chandler Parsons. Baseball fans can watch for John Smoltz, Albert Pujols, or Roger Clemens. Football fans will find Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith, Marcus Allen, Brian Urlacher, and Charles Woodson.
You’ll find many other actors, musicians, and champions of various sports. If you’d like to watch some fun golf while also celebrity spotting, be sure to visit the tournament’s website to get your tickets, and to see who else will be playing this year.
Entertainment1 day agoBlue Man Group Returns to Orlando, Announces New Home at ICON Park
US NATIONAL NEWS20 hours agoNational Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Endorses Trump for President
Health21 hours agoOfficials Celebrate Milestone at AdventHealth Minneola Topping-Out Ceremony
US NATIONAL NEWS20 hours agoPresident Biden Announces Key Appointments to Boards and Commissions
