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Continued on Page 8. Early Voting Begins Monday, Oct. 21 Meet your local political candidates Debra Mucarsel Powell (Democrat - D) Served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2018-20 in Florida’s 26th Congressional district in South Florida. Prior to elected o ce she was a dean and associate vice president at Florida International University. Rick Scott (Republican - R) The incumbent, running for his second six-year term in the seat. Previously served two terms as Florida’s Governor (2011-19) after a career as a health care executive and venture capitalist. Comments from candidates come from replies to a request for input on their candidacy—why they should be elected to another term, or be the candidate of change, or why this race, this year, was so important to run for. To view campaign funding reports, go to voteosceola.gov/Current-Candidates. GOING TO WASHINGTON U.S. SENATE GOING TO TALLAHASSEE STATE SENATE, DISTRICT 25 STAYING IN THE REGION DISTRICT 9 STATE ATTORNEY SERVING OSCEOLA COUNTY COUNTY COMMISSION, DISTRICT 1 Marcus Carter (Independent - I) e Phoenix native and Army veteran moved to Kissimmee in 2019, and launched ride- sharing company DriveSociety. He is running as an independent noting that “The two-party system has failed us, and it’s time we unite to again declare our independence from tyranny.” “Our government is broken, and our leaders are compromised. Changing this takes new leaders, not more of the same,” his campaign website states. Thomas Chalifoux (R) Also an Army veteran and successful businessman, the longtime area resident served on the Osceola County School Board from 2000-08 and was an Osceola County Republican State Committeeman from 2000-04, serving the community and party in Tallahassee. Darren Soto (D) The incumbent, running for his third team in the seat. Previously served in the Florida Senate and House of Representatives, and is a lawyer. Kristen Arrington (D) A Kissimmee native, she comes off two terms as the District 43 state House member. “My experience in Tallahassee sets me apart,” she said. “In the past four years I’ve been able to work across the aisle in a Republican majority to pass legislation and bring home money each year. is is my hometown and the community I love, and I know, understand and am committed to Osceola County.” Jose Martinez (R) A St. Cloud small business owner, he comes into this race a er running for City Council in 2021, and winning the Republican primary. I am a family guy who can bring about the change our community really needs. Having grown up here, I have a solid grasp of the challenges we face every day—I am not just observing from the sidelines; I lived through it all,” he said. “I am all about boosting our economy by backing small businesses and creating more jobs. My hands-on experience running a business gives provides me with valuable insights into which policies will genuinely help entrepreneurs and their teams. My priorities will be to tackle the skyrocketing prices of homeowner’s insurance and to implement reforms that put an end to the abuses by HOAs.” Erika Booth (R) Running for the seat against the same opponent in a special election earlier this year, she is a member of the local teaching and education community, and won election for School Board in 2022 before running for state House. “I’m the person who will ght for holding insurance companies accountable, keeping taxes low and keeping people working,” she said. “Folks are concerned about property taxes, which comes back to a ordability of everything. “ is race comes down to this: do you support an economy that doesn’t ensure people will keep working, or one of scal responsibility?” Tom Keen (D) A veteran and simulation training entrepreneur out of Lake Nona, ran for this seat— which covers areas east and northeast of St. Cloud and into Orange County—in 2022, and won it in 2023. He’s in support of growing the NeoCity nanosensor technology manufacturing facility in Osceola County. “We want those hightech, well-paying jobs coming in. Tourism encourages a lower-average wage,” he said. “Good jobs can bring that up and support other jobs. We have a really good economy. People are tired of culture wars. Talk to them about what’s really important.” U.S. CONGRESS, DISTRICT 9 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DISTRICT 35 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DISTRICT 45 Carolina Amesty (R) e incumbent in this district that represents Celebration and ChampionsGate along with southwest Orange County, she touts conservative values—limited government, reducing taxes, and lowering the cost of living. “I will continue to work with Governor DeSantis to defend our state from the agenda being pushed at us on a daily basis by the establishment in Washington,” her campaign website touts. Leonard Spencer (D) e former longtime Disney executive has campaigned on solving the a ordability crisis, including holding insurance companies and corporate landlords accountable, a commitment to funding Florida’s public schools to address teacher shortages, investing in mental health and protecting reproductive freedom. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DISTRICT 46 Jose Alvarez (D) The Realtor and former Kissimmee City commissioner and mayor served as a regional U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) director a er his two terms. Michael Cruz (R) Also in real estate, came to Osceola County in 2021. As a political newcomer, he touts focusing on education, safety, growing the economy and small businesses, funding law enforcement and reforming property taxes and insurance. Dr. Ivan Rivera (I) A local physician who has run for a number of offices, including this seat to represent Kissimmee and Poinciana and replace Kristen Arrington. He has no campaign website available. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DISTRICT 47 Maria Revelles (D) e challenger has worked as a housing commissioner in New York and a union leader and organizer. She says her experience working with diverse communities from Puerto Rico to Central Florida has prepared her to be a voice for everyone in the district, especially those who have been marginalized or le out of the conversation. “As a mother, a cancer survivor, a Latina, and a community leader, I am committed to advocating for women’s equality, the LGBTQ+ community, Medicaid expansion and ensuring that we build a district that is inclusive for all,” she said. “I bring a fresh perspective, grounded in my lived experiences and years of grassroots organizing. “I am running to bring real change to our district.” Paula Stark (R) The director of St. Cloud Main Street and former newspaper publisher seeks re- election in this district that includes much of St. Cloud proper, Buenaventura Lakes and Meadow Woods in Orange County. She touted bills that helped pass reforms for mobile home renters, mental health coverage for veterans and autism awareness. “I want my constituents to know that I didn’t get into politics to be a politician,” she said. “I did get into it to be your representative.” I believe that with my longevity in the community and having seen the changes as they have come, I have the ability to be a unifier, and that is my goal.” Andrew Bain (I) e current State Attorney was named to the post a er Gov. Ron DeSantis removed Monique Worrell from her position by executive order for what he called lapses in prosecution of cases. Bain runs without party a liation to distance himself from DeSantis’ in uence. Monique Worrell (D) Speaking of Worrell, she won a Democratic primary with the goal of getting her job back and continuing her work as the 9th District’s lead prosecutor. (The winner of the Republican primary, Seth Hyman, dropped out of the race in September, noting he did not want to split any vote with Bain to ensure Worrell did not again win election.) Peggy Choudhry (D) e incumbent is running for a third term. Prior to election, and a er a career in with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as an immigration o cer, her family ran a West 192 hotel, being part of the tourism fabric of the western part of the county. Disvany Martinez (R) The challenger is running as a true candidate of change, a theme all throughout his campaign as part of his “Osceola First Agenda” “Don’t New York my county—as your commissioner, my primary goal is to ensure our streets and neighborhoods are safer,” his campaign website touts. “I commit to simplifying the permitting process, making it more e cient for contractors, homeowners and business owners … I am driven to unite officials and developers in devising comprehensive infrastructure strategies.” COUNTY COMMISSION, DISTRICT 3 Brandon Arrington (D) e incumbent is running for a fifth term on the dais. He’s stated that consistency in completing infrastructure and emphasis on education would be his top priorities if reelected for another term. “I want to see Expressway improvements in District 3 completed, as well as continuing development in NeoCity and ensure the Osceola Prosper program continues,” said Arrington. Fior D’Aliza Frias (R) e former banking sector executive and current family business operator is the challenger. “I pledge to make use of all allocated resources available in order to face the issues that currently a ect all of us. Issues such as infrastructure, public safety and socio economics will be front and center. My goal is to ensure that all residents of this district have a strong and e ective voice in their local government.” Eric Montgomery (Libertarian-L) is third-party candidacy comes from a longtime AT&T digital employee who says the incumbent is “out of touch with the voters.” “The answer of, ‘We have always done it this way,’ is never an acceptable answer,” he said. “With my unique career pro le, I think I can put myself in the shoes of many district residents.” Tuesday, Nov. 5