The Florida Democratic Party congratulated two Orlando City Commissioners for their big electoral wins.
With all precincts reporting, Tom Keen flipped the last standing Republican seat in the District 1 Orlando City Commission race, and Shan Rose declared victory in her re-election bid for District 5.
The Florida Democratic Party celebrated flipping the “last” Republican seat, although Commissioner Tony Ortiz was a Republican who only switched parties as he considers a potential bid for Orlando Mayor as well as simple political survival in the big blue dot in Central Florida.
“Tom Keen and Shan Rose both ran powerful grassroots campaigns. Tonight’s victory shows that the pendulum is swinging and Democrats are the source. We flipped the last Republican seat on the Orlando City Commission and continue to prove that people-centered change is shifting the momentum across the state,” said Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried.
Tom Keen and Shan Rose focused their campaigns and worked hard to engage voters and win on Election Day. The Democratic Party said Tom Keen and Shan Rose both ran strong grassroots campaigns, and their victories show the pendulum is swinging for Democrats in Florida.
“These campaigns are proof that when we focus on the needs of the community and common sense solutions, we can win,” FDP Chair Nikki Fried added. “We look forward to watching these two dynamic leaders support the people of Orlando to ensure Central Floridians have the resources they need to thrive.”
There is still work in Orlando for Democrats, including Tony Ortiz and Buddy Dyer.
Democrat Tom Keen defeated Republican Jim Gray, who had the support of Ortiz and “Democratic” Mayor Buddy Dyer. The Republican Commissioner attacked Democrats, the LGBT community and current mayoral candidate Anna Eskamani. State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith slammed Orlando Commissioner Jim Gray’s “homophobic” mailer used for his reelection campaign, calling it “desperate” and saying it was a “clearly bigoted dog whistle.” Orlando Congressman Maxwell Frost also supported Tom Keen against Jim Gray.
