politics – Daisy For Florida

Press Release: Florida House Candidate Daisy Morales Blasts Orlando Sentinel for False Reporting

ORLANDO, Fla. (September 23, 2020) – In response to the Orlando Sentinel’s September 22, 2020 article accusing her of failing to attend Soil & Water Board meetings, Florida House District 48 nominee Daisy Morales is calling out the Orlando Sentinel once more to report accurately and stop its propaganda campaign to mislead readers in order to sway another election.

The article states in relevant part:

“…Morales, 59, has served as an elected Orange County Soil & Water Conservation District supervisor since 2014, though she was absent for meetings of the nonpartisan environmental board from March 2019 to February 2020. She has said she had tried to call into the meetings for months — even yelling into the phone —until she realized she was calling the wrong number.”

“During the time she failed to attend the Soil & Water Conservation District board’s meetings, she attended ribbon cuttings alongside Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, Hurricane Dorian press conferences and participated in holiday parades as a board supervisor.”

Morales slammed the Orlando Sentinel’s claims. “This article frames a poisonous narrative that I was absent from Board meetings for a year, and that’s an outright lie,” said Morales. “To be clear, I was present for the March 2019 meeting, because the Board needed to vote on a new Board Chair. And for the record, as Supervisor in 2018 and as Board Chair in 2019, I pushed for all supervisors to attend all meetings in person. The others voted against me to allow supervisors to also call in as an option. One careful look at the minutes would’ve confirmed that. According to state law, minutes and agendas should be available for review on the website, orangesoilandwater.org.

“I was physically present during the January 2020 meeting, which an Orlando Sentinel reporter, Ryan Gillespie, was present for and covered in January. Florida National News also covered the meeting. It appears the reporter for this article, Stephen Hudak, sourced the fact that I dialed the wrong number from Gillespie’s January 17, 2020 article, and yet Gillespie’s article confirms my January attendance while this article falsely pegs me as absent. I was also present for the February 2020 meeting, so Hudak’s reporting of my absences is false.

“This article also conveniently omits the fact that some meetings were canceled altogether. Again, a careful review of the minutes would have confirmed that.

“The Orange Soil & Water Conservation District Board is comprised of five elected supervisors and is structured to be able to run with a three-person quorum, meaning two supervisors can be absent. Only the Board can vote on what counts as an inexcusable absence, and it hasn’t in the last six years. Supervisor Michael Barber is Board Chair and Secretary, Supervisor Dawn Curtis is Vice Chair, former Supervisor Nicole McLaren was the Public Relations Liaison, and Supervisor Tiffany Dziekan is Treasurer. Why am I being targeted by the Orlando Sentinel? I can always be reached–to the point where state government had to contact me in order to reach several other supervisors because the agencies had difficulty reaching them.

“There is no excuse for the inaccuracies in this article. I’m calling on the Orlando Sentinel to apologize to the public and correct this false and misleading piece to reflect the truth, because it’s wrongful and damaging. Readers are relying on this information as if it’s the truth. A letter has already been written to the editor and published by the Orlando Sentinel in response to this under the false impression that I was absent for a year.

“I’ll say again, the public deserves to have a news outlet that is accurate, transparent and trustworthy.”

Media Contact: DaisyForFlorida@gmail.com | Campaign Website: DaisyForFlorida.com

###

Press Release: Daisy Morales Endorses Karolyn Campbell in Orange Soil & Water Conservation District Race

ORLANDO, Fla. (August 21, 2020) – State Representative nominee and Orange Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor Daisy Morales has endorsed the Board’s first legally blind candidate, Karolyn Campbell, who is running to replace Supervisor Morales on the Board.

“I endorse Karolyn Campbell for Orange Soil & Water Conservation District Seat 2. She brings experience and extensive knowledge of Orange County’s natural resources,” said Supervisor Morales.

Campell serves on the Orange County Disability Board, where Supervisor Morales also serves as Vice Chair. She also often volunteered with Supervisor Morales on several community events over the years.

Campbell boasts a background in environmental education, life cycle sustainment, soil and water conservation management and green initiatives. As a speaker and mentor, she’s been an advocate for increasing diversity, women, and people with special needs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) for creative solutions.

Supervisor Morales has advocated for the special needs community for many years. She was the legal guardian and caretaker for her mother and special needs sister, both of whom are now deceased. This cause is so personal to her, she made it a campaign promise in her run for State Representative for District 48.

Supervisor Morales won the Florida House District 48 primary against four opponents Tuesday night.

“I promised the people of District 48 that I would go to Tallahassee and fight for quality healthcare for all and for the special needs community,” said Supervisor Morales recently. “What better way to advocate for them than to help someone from the community get elected to public office?” Supervisor Morales added. “Karolyn is more than qualified for the seat.”

Campbell, a military veteran and UCF graduate, has four Bachelor of Science degrees: in Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Molecular and Microbiology, and Psychology; she holds a Master of Science in System Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Master of Business Administration in Aviation and Finance from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Campbell also graduated from the Department of the Navy Acquisition Development Program in August 2012. She is Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level III Career Field Certified in Engineering and Life Cycle Logistics and also holds certifications in Program Management, Facilities Engineering, Science & Technology Management, SPRDE – Program Systems Engineering, and is a Defense Acquisition Corps Member.

Campbell is running against Sean McQuade in a special election in November to serve the remaining two years of Supervisor Morales’s Seat 2 term. The seat is available again in 2022.

McQuade ran against incumbent Supervisor Morales in the 2018, losing with 144,321 votes to Morales’s 256,342.

The general election takes place November 3, 2020.

Media Contact: DaisyForFlorida@gmail.com | Campaign Website: DaisyForFlorida.com

###

Press Release: Daisy Morales Praises Joe Biden’s VP Pick Kamala Harris

ORLANDO, Fla. (August 12, 2020) – The Daisy Morales campaign has released the following statement from Daisy Morales, candidate for Florida House District 48, on former Vice President Joe Biden selecting Senator Kamala Harris:

“Congratulations to Senator Kamala Harris for being named as former Vice President Joe Biden’s pick for VP. This historic moment shattered the glass ceiling and even a few walls. Not only is Senator Harris one of only a handful of women to ever be at the top of a major party nominee ticket, but she’s the first African American, Caribbean American (Jamaican heritage) and South Asian American (Indian heritage) to ever do it. Senator Harris’s sharp, relentless pursuit of the truth and accountability inspired Biden, her former opponent, to pick her.

“Biden committed to choosing a woman as his running mate, and it only makes sense he chose Senator Harris. She embodies the poise, confidence, experience, passion and heart for service that we as women carry and share with the world every single day.

“The response surrounding Senator Harris’s pick is also a powerful lesson on how important it is for women to support each other. Senator Amy Clobuchar, former National Security Advisor Susan Rice, our Florida Congresswoman Val Demings, and many other women in key leadership roles across the country have rallied around Senator Harris in this historic moment, raising their voices in solidarity with hers to inspire all of us as Americans to make ours heard at the ballot box. Women are an unstoppable force for positive change when we rally together, and there’s no better time than now for us to make change. This is not the time for petty competition or silent blocking or sabotage, but to unify like never before.

“I look forward to helping the Biden-Harris campaign to win the Puerto Rican vote in Florida.”

Media Contact: DaisyForFlorida@gmail.com | Campaign Website: DaisyForFlorida.com

###

Campaign Update: Team Daisy Lights Up Semoran Boulevard and Colonial Drive

The grind continues! Daisy Morales and team are bringing the energy in the community, this time on the corner of Semoran Boulevard and Colonial Drive. With lively music, vibrant Old Glory and Puerto Rican flags, the team danced and waved to thousands of drivers Tuesday morning.

Daisy’s been engaged in the Orange County community for decades and loves the people. In the last eight years, she’s traveled to Tallahassee and worked with lawmakers to bring back funding for Orange County residents and landowners. She’s been open and accessible to her constituents as an elected Orange Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor.

Vote Daisy Morales for House District 48 on or before August 18th! To make a donation or join Team Daisy, visit daisyforflorida.com.

Press Release: Daisy Morales’ Statement on Puerto Rico’s Election Crisis

ORLANDO, Fla. (August 11, 2020) – The Daisy Morales campaign has released the following statement from Daisy Morales, candidate for Florida House District 48, on Puerto Rico’s recent election crisis:

“Puerto Rico’s recent primary election crisis is unfair and unacceptable. Voters couldn’t exercise their right to vote because not all voting precincts received their ballots in time, causing voters to be turned away after risking their lives amid the COVID-19 pandemic by waiting in line to exercise their right to vote.

“As leaders, it’s our responsibility to serve the needs of the people and be as prepared as possible. As a result of the primary ballot shortage this weekend, the ballots cast will be counted and the election paused until the remaining precincts receive their ballots and voters can cast them next Sunday, Aug. 16. Several elected leaders have leveled lawsuits against the Puerto Rico State Elections Commission for being unable to deliver ballots to more than half of the island’s election precincts.

“Puerto Ricans take elections seriously. Some 70% of the island’s population typically turns out to vote. And as someone with family still living on the island, this is personal to me. What’s heartbreaking is that this weekend’s fiasco is discouraging some Puerto Ricans from engaging in the voting process at all, and that shouldn’t be the case. Every vote counts, and every eligible voter deserves to exercise their right to vote on the appointed election day.”

Campaign Update: Team Daisy Kicks Off Sign-Waving in District 48

ORLANDO, Fla. (July 26, 2020) – Team Daisy hit the streets in District 48 today, waving signs and showing voters love on street corners while staying safe and wearing our masks during COVID-19. Not only was it important to wave our signs, but it was also important to have Old Glory (the American flag) there too. With over 30 years of public service, Ms. Morales respects the ideals the flag represents and wants as many residents as possible to enjoy those ideals.

It appears that we may be trendsetters, too. Since the day we waved our signs, several other candidates have started sign waving as well, which didn’t appear to be happening before we decided to hit the streets in District 48.

Campaign Update: Team Daisy Putting in Work!

ORLANDO, Fla. (July 24, 2020) – Team Daisy set up shop in a local Orlando neighborhood to get the word out about Ms. Morales. We did phone banking to reach voters and coordinated with volunteers on our upcoming sign waving event.

Our workshop faced the scenic waterside where several residents rode by on their boats and waved, some yelling out their support for Ms. Morales.

Campaign Update: Daisy Morales Supports Colectivo ARBOL in Aiding Vulnerable Farm Workers

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (July 17, 2020) – Daisy Morales joined Colectivo ARBOL (Tree Collective) at the organization’s fundraiser event on July 17, 2020 at 5pm to support essential farm workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Medical officials have warned that the risk of COVID-19 not only lies in lack of social distancing and not wearing a face mask, but from prolonged or frequent exposure to high-risk areas.

Colectivo ARBOL held its event at 1985 John Young Parkway in Kissimmee. Morales educated attendees on her support of the agricultural community and her platform to protect it.

“It’s important that we give farm workers the help they need to stay safe and support their families during this challenging time,” said Morales. “They work tirelessly to make sure our families are fed. We need to make sure they’re healthy and can feed theirs.”

Press Release: State Representative HD 48 Candidate Daisy Morales Qualifies For 2020 Primary Election Ballot

ORLANDO, Fla. (June 8, 2020) – State Representative HD 48 candidate Supervisor Daisy Morales has qualified for the August 18^th primary election ballot, according to the Florida Division of Elections.

While Morales was the only elected official candidate to enter the race just three weeks ago, she was the first candidate to meet Florida’s requirements to earn a spot on the ballot.

“Our campaign is humbled by the outpouring of support from across Orange County, specially in House District 48. The hard work of my family, friends, and our amazing team of volunteers has enabled me to qualify for the primary election ballot to compete for the Democratic nomination, Supervisor Daisy Morales. “I’m the only candidate in this race with a proven track record of defeating my opponents to win back-to-back countywide elections. In 2018, over 256,000 voters or 64% of the total votes trust me to be their elected leader for a second four-year term.

I currently represent the residents of House District 48 at the county level, as their elected Supervisor on the Orange County Soil & Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors. They know me and know them. I look forward to representing them in Tallahassee as the next State Representative.

My campaign earned endorsements from former Democratic Deputy Whip and State Representative John Cortes , City of Ocoee Commissioner George Oliver, III and Music Artist Lillie Nicole McCloud.

Release: Morales Campaign Announces Endorsement From City of Ocoee Commissioner George Oliver, III

ORLANDO, Fla. (May 29, 2020) – Supervisor Daisy Morales announced today, City of Ocoee Commissioner George Oliver, III has endorsed her campaign for State Representative of House District 48, which is part of Orange County.

“Supervisor Daisy Morales is a proven leader whose six-year record as a countywide elected official shows her commitment to diversity and inclusion of all people,” former Ocoee Mayor Pro Tem and Commissioner George Oliver, III said.

“She is the only candidate who understands the challenges Orange County families face everyday and she has the experience necessary to immediately offer real solutions.

With Supervisor Morales, you get a humble leader and quiet warrior who has shown the ability to build consensus in the public and private sectors, work with local, state and federal elected officials to get things done, and that is exactly what the people of House District 48 need in Tallahassee. I am proud to endorse her candidacy for State Representative.”

“I’m proud to earn the support and endorsement of City of Ocoee Commissioner George Oliver, III” Supervisor Morales said. “As local elected officials, we work closely on issues that matters to the people we serve in Ocoee and Orange County to reach the greatest outcome.”

“As the next State Representative of House District 48, I will work tirelessly for the people of House District 48 to expand economic opportunity, improve our schools, fight for affordable healthcare, protect our environment and defend the values that make Florida exceptional.”

Supervisor Daisy Morales was elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2018 to serve on the Orange County Soil & Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors. The District is a subdivision of the State of Florida.

Tag: politics