ORLANDO, Fla. – Daisy Morales has formally endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 Presidential Nomination, aligning with President Biden in this historic support.
Vice President Harris has consistently demonstrated a profound commitment to justice, equality, and progress throughout her public service career — from her tenure as Attorney General of California to her historic election as the first woman, Black, and South Asian Vice President.
“Kamala Harris has served as an extraordinary Vice President and has been an integral part of this history-making administration. She has shown unwavering dedication to fighting for the rights and well-being of all Americans,” Morales stated. “Her recent visit to Puerto Rico and her continuous efforts to support Hispanic and Puerto Rican communities exemplify her dedication to inclusive progress. The Hispanic population has exploded in Central Florida, and Kamala Harris understands and advocates for their needs.”
“Vice President Harris is tested, ready, and I am proud to stand with her as she makes history again, this time as the first Black woman to hold the Presidency,” Morales added. “Women, Black and Brown voters will deliver the state of Florida for Kamala Harris. The I-4 Corridor will be a crucial pathway for her candidacy to the White House.”
Kamala Harris represents the hope and determination of women everywhere, poised to shatter another glass ceiling, Morales expressed.
ORLANDO, Fla. – Former state Representative Daisy Morales has qualified for the August 20, 2024 ballot in a rematch election against Rita Harris for the Florida House District 44 seat.
The Daisy Morales Campaign paid a qualifying fee of $1781.82 on May 31, ahead of her opponent.
Daisy Morales also plans to self fund her campaign up to $50,000.
She first won her House seat with 65% of the vote in 2020.
The former State Representative and former Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor has a eight year history of defeating her Democrat and Republican opponents who gathered more donors and endorsements.
Daisy Morales is an old name that has been cemented in Orange County politics. In this race name recognition and community engagement matters, especially to Hispanic voters.
“My campaign team is excited and fired up to take back Florida House District 44 from an ineffective Democratic lawmaker, Rita Harris. She has delivered a pile of dead bills each Legislative Session. Zero bills passed.
It’s time for District 44 voters to pink slip this bad actress playing lawmaker for the Democratic establishment. The people deserve better.”
“I am running for State Representative because of my love for public service. I’ve spent over 30 years of my life working for the people at the local, state, and federal levels. I’m simply a dedicated public servant committed to making the government work for all people in District 44.”
As former State Representative, Daisy sponsored and cosponsored over 100 bipartisan bills that became state law in her first term.
As the Mother of a Military Veteran, and a State Lawmaker, Daisy will continue to fight every day to make sure our Veterans have access to programs and services that meet their needs.
“I’m proud that the Governor included my bill, HB 45 in a 2022 bill signing ceremony. House Bill 45 provides educational opportunities for disabled veterans by providing additional assistance to achieve a 100 percent award for tuition and fees.
HB 45 National Model For States “Florida’s HB 45 of the 2022 legislative session could serve as a national model to provide educational opportunities to our disabled veterans and provide an avenue for their future success,” said Louisiana State Representative Beau Beaullieu.
Also, a South Carolina State Lawmaker is considering HB 45 for their disabled veterans in 2024.
“I look forward to returning back to the Florida House to deliver results for the people of Florida.”
ORLANDO, Fla. – Today, Daisy Morales, candidate for State Representative District 44, released a statement calling State Representative Rita Harris the worst lawmaker in the Orange County State Legislative Delegation in passing proposed bills during the 2023 Legislative Session.
15 lawmakers are part of Orange County State Legislative Delegation
Florida State Senator Dennis Baxley serves as the Senate President Tempore and also represents part of Orange County, but also did not introduce any bills during the 2023 Legislative Session.
“With a disastrous record of zero wins in passing seven different pieces of legislation in the Florida House, Harris recently filed for re-election, kicking off her campaign as an ineffective lawmaker,” said Morales.
“The seven proposed bills she filed were dead on arrival:
“It’s clear that all of Harris’s bills had one thing in common: They didn’t pass on the House floor, didn’t make it to the Governor’s desk, and didn’t become law.
“Harris is going to have a very difficult time explaining to District 44’s voters, donors, businesses, and elected officials who endorsed her 2022 campaign why they should support her re-election campaign.
“Remember, a lawmaker’s job is twofold: pass legislation and balance the state budget. The second part always gets done, but she’s hurting on the first.
“She co-sponsored 27 bills during this Session and shared the list with her constituents saying she ‘helped pass’ them. When I ran in 2022, Harris brushed off my cosponsored bills saying, ‘Anyone can co-sign a bill.’
“And that’s exactly what an outsider, ignorant of the process, would say.
“Now that she’s finally been in the trenches, she was quick to share those 27 bills. And even then, that pales in comparison to my 56 cosponsored bills—much less the fact that three pieces of legislation I sponsored passed the Florida House, and two of them were signed into law by the Governor during my first Legislative Session. And this Legislative Session wasn’t any worse than 2021 or 2022. I was there when the Governor decided to wage his war with Disney. I was there during the Special Sessions on property insurance, and I’m still prepared to fight on behalf of Floridians again concerning that.
“And then there’s District 44. Florida is a tourism-heavy state, and this district is the tourism epicenter and economic linchpin for the entire state. Harris has failed the people of this district.
“She was so far out of touch, she managed to miss one of the biggest, most visible issues in the heart of her district—the FreeFall amusement ride incident that resulted in the unfortunate death of 14-year-old Tyre Sampson. State Senator Geraldine Thompson relentlessly fought for the Tyre Sampson Act, which unanimously passed the Florida Legislature during the 2023 Legislative Session. Though Harris cosponsored the bill, her fellow Democrats didn’t consider her or invite her to be a primary sponsor. Sen. Thompson instead connected with Rep. LaVon Bracy-Davis, who represents a different district, for the House companion bill.
“District 44 deserves better.
“As a public servant for over 30 years, working for the U.S. government, then elected as an Orange Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor, then as State Representative, I understand how to gauge what matters most to the people. I understand how to introduce legislation and House Resolutions that benefit the people of Florida and District 44.
“For instance, during the 2022 Legislative Session I introduced historic House Resolution 8069 celebrating Puerto Rican Heritage Day statewide. During the 2021 Legislative Session, I introduced House Resolution 8053 recognizing World Vitiligo Day and hosting Orlando’s first-ever World Vitiligo Day celebration educating my constituents on this “silent disease,” freeing them by busting the myths and misconceptions around it, and empowering them with ways to improve their relationships with the people in their lives who struggle with it.
“I’m the best candidate for District 44 because I’ve proven myself effective. I’m still focused on what’s still hurting Florida families and the district: rising prices, struggles with affordable housing, finding good jobs, securing affordable health care, and building a strong economy. These issues matter as much to business owners and leaders in District 44 as they do to the residents who work for them. Also, since Democrats are even more outnumbered in the legislature, it’s more important now than ever before to sponsor common sense legislation—like the Tyre Sampson Act, that both sides can agree on and get passed.
“Hispanics never stop fighting for what’s right, especially Puerto Rican voters seeking to boost their political voice in Tallahassee,” said Morales. “They are ready to send me back to the Florida House as the next state representative for District 44.” I’m ready to serve all Floridians
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — The Daisy Morales campaign announced Friday that the State Representative has filed first for Florida House District 44 in the 2024 election, hand delivering her campaign documents to the Florida Division of Elections in Tallahassee Thursday.
Democratic Rep. Daisy Morales has won the endorsement of Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried for a re-election bid in Orange County’s House District 44.
Morales faces Democratic official and activist Rita Harris in an Aug. 23 Democratic Primary Election for the new district, which spans across much of south-central Orange. Morales is seeking a second term.
“During her time in the FL House, Representative Morales has demonstrated her relentless dedication to her constituents. She has a proven track record of getting bills passed and signed into law,” Fried in an endorsement statement released by Morales’ campaign. “Selfless dedication to serve is hard to come by, and we’ll continue to need that in Tallahassee. I’m proud to endorse Representative Morales for Florida House District 44.”
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Daisy Morales re-election campaign for State Representative has announced that Rep. Morales currently leads among the 47 candidates in 11 Florida House races representing Orange County in certified candidate petitions from Orange County voters, according to the Florida Division of Elections website.
All state representative candidates were required to collect a minimum of 599 petitions. To date, Rep. Morales has had 789 petitions certified, topping the Orange County voter petition count with 595 certified. Pam Powell, Democratic candidate for House District 41, comes in second with 584 certified Orange County petitions to date out of 624. Orange County School Board member Johanna López, Democratic candidate for Florida House District 43, comes third with 493 certified in Orange County out of a total 611 to date.
ORLANDO, Fla. (May 21, 2022) – Today, the Daisy Morales re-election campaign for State Representative announced that Rep. Morales currently leads Florida House candidates in certified petitions from Orange County voters, according to Florida Division of Elections records.
State representative candidates are required to collect a minimum of 599 petitions. To date, Rep. Morales has had 789 petitions certified, 595 from Orange County voters alone. Pam Powell, Democratic candidate for House District 41, comes in close second with 584 certified Orange County petitions to date.
“Voter engagement is more than collecting signatures, and it’s more rewarding than paying the $1,781.82 qualification fee,” said Rep. Morales. “Paying the fee is a simple transaction with the Supervisor of Elections. Collecting signatures, on the other hand, gives a candidate an opportunity to learn more about voters’ concerns ahead of the election.”
Morales collected petitions from diverse communities, including the Hispanic, Haitian, and Muslim populations. “The black and brown communities help me cross the finish line in getting the required number of petitions,” she said. “This is why it’s so important to build strong relationships with them, and not take them for granted, which is exactly how they feel they’re treated by many candidates during election cycles. I’ve engaged with Orange County voters throughout my whole term, not just in time for the election.”
She feels the current numbers are a reflection of her dedication to Orange County voters over the last eight years. From educating the community as an Orange County Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor to meeting Orange County residents’ dire needs with food, PPE and COVID vaccine distribution in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Daisy Morales has become a name synonymous with service, and the voters remember her name.
“The voters weren’t engaging a stranger or a newcomer,” said Morales. “My long-standing relationship in the community made it easier for voters to sign the petitions for my bid for a second term in the Florida House. I look forward to being on the August and November ballots and winning my second term.”
Orlando Democratic Rep. Daisy Morales has announced plans to reintroduce legislation to create an Active Shooter Alert System in Florida in response to the recent New York City subway shooting.
Morales introduced the legislation during the 2022 Legislative Session. The bill, HB 1271, would require the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to implement an alert system to be activated on the report of an active shooter. The alert system would then notify residents within a 50-mile radius of the shooter’s location. The bill would also require the Florida Department of Transportation to establish a plan for providing relevant information to the public within the 50-mile radius using their existing dynamic message signs.
