This is part two of a three-part series on the write-in candidates for Orange County Clerk of Courts.
One option for that _______ (blank) line on your ballot under Clerk of Courts is Randy Ross. Ross has been involved outside of politics in a diverse array of community organizations including serving on the boards of the American Red Cross of Central Florida, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida, and Community Health Centers of Central Florida. With that community involvement plus two decades in marketing and advertising, Ross understands the challenges ahead.
Having just come off the end of a long city council race, Ross knew he had put a great amount of energy into sharing his platform with the community. He did think about taking time away before another run, but he also felt strongly that the race for Clerk of Court needed a Democrat in it. The reasons to qualify as a write-in were two-fold: first it did save the $9,000 qualifying fee and allows that money to go into messaging and outreach, and it was an opportunity to increase his name recognition through a creative non-traditional approach.
Ross also expected party support to be limited. “I attended DEC meetings and activities, but the engagement was simply not there,” Ross said. “And I’m not the only candidate that feels this way. There are many that simply do not see the loyalty. So why in the world would an individual candidate risk their own money on behalf of the party if the party itself is not prepared to walk hand-in-hand with the candidate?”
It is frustrating that despite the actions of his own party locally, as he points out, the board knows both he and Tim Adams personally, and even just a mention would be a signal of support. That’s why Ross helped launch a new online, local-focused political group on Facebook, the Orange County Political Voices page. He’s been invited to many of the political forums, speaking out on behalf of his bid for Clerk.
“I’m out there,” Ross added. “I’m gaining awareness for issues and I’m taking the process bulls by the horns head on. And guess what? That scares people in power.”
“I quickly realized it wasn’t my voice, as a write-in or on OCPV that mattered. It was the people’s voice. And when you let the people be heard, you’ll have victory. You’ll been seen as a leader and collectively you win the battle.”
Part one of this series can be found here. Part three will spotlight Tim Adams.
That is a bunch of baloney. Randy didnt pay the 9k fee because he doesnt have the money and no one will give to his campaign bc he just lost a city commission race earlier this year and lost a school board race years ago. 2 losses and you are out in this business, he is not spending the 9k on “outreach” in fact he hasnt raised or spent a penny according to his last campaign reports. he is just a big grandstander and flash mob organizer who thinks his facebook group will get him elected. guess what facebook is only a small portion oft he voting public.
“Anonymous”….of course.
LOL….I love how some coward wrote an “anonymous” post about what I have and don’t have. If they followed…my reports..they’d know what I loaned to my city council campaign and what would, just there, have been available here…I had chose to utilize personal monies that way. But..as I mentioned in the article…why put my money into it if the party isn’t there? And you know…last time I checked…there are people that run multiple times before they are elected to office…when it’s your time.
Oh, and that flash mob I organized … 750 Orlando citizens who volunteered their time and collectively received over 100,000 views on youtube…yes, I can see how that community effort could be seen as concerning. Not too many people could rally 750 people to participate in a few minutes of community service in an effort to help promote “The City Beautiful.”
One final comment…not everyone can be handed a office by their party…and I for one am not going anywhere. Politics are changing…..trust me…”there’s change a coming.”
People fear people who ‘change’ things…upset the applecart…and I’m totally ok with that.
I don’t think I have ever seen Mr. Ross at a DEC meeting
I am in the dec and have seen randy but i haven’t seen him really campaigning. Why doesn’t he ask his 750 flash mob friends for a $20 campaign contribution or even put in his own $500 token contribution? Has he knocked on doors? Or sent mail? His only effort is an occasional FB post. Get a clue you won’t win that way and now with 3 losses in 3 separate races no one will take randy seriously in the future.
“Anonymous”….and you think I was in this to win it? Time will tell my political future… 🙂
why would you file for a race you have no qualifications for like clerk and then say you are not in it to win it? all of us dems realize you arent in it to win ie no fundraising no campaigning other than online etc. why not pick a position you are actually passionate about instead of just wanting to be an elected official? uniquely as you say so often just run for soil and water like your ex bf. what makes you qualified to be on school board, city commissioner or clerk? heck i heard you wanted to run for county commish too. this is whats wrong people running just to get in the limelight and not actualy interested in the position.