Local political activist Randy Ross has announced his bid for Orlando City Council District 4 for the upcoming November 7th election, where he will once again challenge 6-term incumbent City Commissioner Patty Sheehan.
“The Orlando City Council needs to stop trying to San Francisco our Orlando,” said Ross.
Ross will host his campaign kick-off on Tuesday, August 1st at 6:30pm at Graffiti Junktion, in the heart of the district: 700 E. Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801.
If elected to the City Council, Ross pledged to:
- Increase police and first responder funding to create a safer Orlando.
- Improve red brick street maintenance and repair.
- Promote term limits for Orlando municipal elections.
- Encourage small business creation in Orlando over discouraging it.
- Improve Senior Care and Rehabilitation Services.
Earlier this year, Ross launched an exploratory process to assess the feasibility of unseating Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer because of the problems downtown and around the city. At the same time, he was rumored to be debating another challenge to Commissioner Sheehan.
An early theme of his campaign has been the calls of “don’t San Francisco our Orlando,” pointing out the growing number of homeless tent encampments and ongoing crime problem.
Ross ran against Commissioner Sheehan in 2015, receiving 20% of the vote compared to Sheehan’s 68.5%. The longtime incumbent was also able to win her re-election in 2019 with over 84% of the district’s vote. Ross said he’s running to win and has a new passion for running because of ongoing problems like crime and homelessness, adding the status quo has gone on too long.
“The City I love and felt safe in is fading,” Ross said. “We can save Orlando with new inspired leadership improving our City Beautiful for generations to come. Enough of the tent cities, enough of the crime, enough of the complacency.”
Ross has helped lead fitness and wellness efforts for Title 1 students in Orange, Osceola and Seminole County Schools, winning 2 Walt Disney World Community Service Awards for Health and Human Services. He helped lead AIDS Walk Orlando (Hope and Help) and helped create “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes,” focusing on Domestic Abuse with Harbor House of Central Florida.
Ross said he possesses a B.A. In Public Relations and Speech Communications is General Services Administration (GSA) Certified in Government contract pricing and negotiations, which would be beneficial in local government. He also completed his Public Relations Internship on the Walt World College Program as well as being part of the opening crew for the Disney MGM Studios Theme Park as well as Universal Orlando.
Ross is also a 30+ year caretaker for his mother Betty in Orlando along with his goldendoodle. Ahead of his campaign announcement, he noted he has llived in Orlando since 1993, and has lived downtown in District 4 since 2003.
