The Florida Civil Rights Association issued the following statement, following the election victory of Rick Singh, Orange County Property Appraiser-elect.
The Orlando based Florida Civil Rights Association congratulates Rick Singh, the newly elected and first Guyanese American property appraiser of Orange County, Florida. Singh won the November 6th general election with 53% of the vote over Bill Donegan, who served as the Property Appraiser for Orange County, since 2001.
“The Florida Civil Rights Association sends its heartfelt congratulations to Property Appraiser-Elect Rick Singh. Winning a political office is difficult as is, let alone as a Guyanese American running for countywide office in a state where “voter suppression” against people of color is widespread.
Property Appraiser-Elect Singh’s campaign theme of “Real Experience, Real Fairness, and Real Accountability” rings true in Orange County and across the state – they are the tenets that will allow the state of Florida to remain great,” stated Florida Civil Rights Association J. Willie David, III. “The Florida Civil Rights Association look forward to working with Property Appraiser Singh. Together we will ensure that all residents of Orange County are treated fairly and equally and that smart policies are enacted that provide the citizens of Orange County with an open door access to the Orange County Property Appraiser’s Office.” The Florida Civil Rights Association will also call on Property Appraiser-Elect Singh to be pro-active in going after homestead fraud cases without preferential treatment.
Barack Obama’s re-election win as president of the United States and Rick Singh’s election win to a countywide office in Florida demonstrates the rising clout of the minority population, including blacks, Asian Americans, and especially Hispanics, explained David. Both Obama and Singh’s win reveals a historic turning point in American politics.
“This election was a seismic shift for minorities, David stated.” In 2011, Florida Legislature’s voter suppression war on communities of color became a banner year for minorities instead; they showed-up in droves to the polls to vote against the Legislature’s Jim Crow era tactics, David stated.
Singh proved he could clear the high hurdles he faced by showing he is qualified, confident, and competent right out of the gate, said David. Singh’s win is good news not just for Guyanese Americans. It’s good news for a diverse and inclusive Florida.
