Orlando – At least three primary races in Orange County have an LGBT bent to them this year, with candidates either being openly gay, LGBT affirming or on the other side of the spectrum.
In the Florida District 49 race, two Republicans will face off Aug. 26 in a bid to unseat Democrat Joe Saunders, who is one of only two openly gay elected officials in Tallahassee. Saunders won his seat in the newly redrawn district two years ago. The district, which runs from Semoran Boulevard to Lake Pickett, between the Seminole County line and Colonial line, also stretches south to Curry Ford Road. Rene Plasencia, 41, and Edward Rodriguez have both touted conservative values as a reason for their campaign. Rodriguez is a police detective who wants to expand Florida’s controversial “Stand Your Ground” law to allow someone to shoot “to prevent and or terminate” commission of crimes, including shooting someone who has just committed robbery and is running away. Plasencia is high school teacher and track coach with a platform focused on education. While neither have attacked Saunders for his sexuality, Rodriguez has already aired ads attacking the first-term incumbent.
“Today Joe Saunders means indifference,” Rodriguez said. “Today I’m on a mission to rescue District 49.”
In the State Representative District 47 primary, two Republicans are campaigning for an opportunity to unseat LGBT-friendly Linda Stewart. Mike Miller, a conservative endorsed by the National Rifle Association and Sen. Mark Rubio. is a University of Florida graduate and the director of Athletics Marketing. Maurice “Mo” Pearson is president and principal-in-charge of ecological services for 3E Consultants, a company he founded in 2005. Pearson’s platform includes strategies for growing Central Florida’s economy and improving the state’s educational system.
Although not a primary contest, the third LGBT-centric race may be the most LGBT specific of all. Brian Fenn and Eric Rollings, both of whom are gay, are running for the Soil and Water District 4 seat. The race is non-partisan, which means no primary is required. The decision for Soil and Water will be made during the general election in November.
