News

“Open” Legislative Seats

At its June 18th Board of Directors meeting, BusinessForce, the political action arm of the Central Florida Partnership, handed down endorsements for four “open” legislative seats in the region. 

In announcing the endorsements BusinessForce President Mike Ketchum said, “When they are elected this fall these great pro-business candidates will be extraordinary additions to an already powerhouse Regional Legislative Delegation in Tallahassee that will be headed up during the next two years by House Speaker-designate Dean Cannon and Senate President Mike Haridopolos.”

Endorsed for the District 20 Senate seat to be vacated by retiring Senator Cary Baker (R-Eustis) was veteran Rep. Alan Hays (R-Umatilla). To replace Rep. Hays, Tavares attorney Republican Rick Joyce was favored with the coveted BusinessForce endorsement while in neighboring District 26, Ormond Beach Mayor Dr. Fred Costello received the BusinessForce nod for the House seat of retiring Rep. Pat Patterson (R-Deland).     

In District 33, where term limited Rep. Sandy Adams (R-Oviedo) is vying for the 24th Congressional District seat, Sanford businessman Jason Brodeur captured the backing of BusinessForce in the Aug. 24th Republican Primary.

Rep. Alan Hays (R) District 20	Rick Joyce (R) District 25
Dr. Fred Costello (R) District 26	Jason Brodeur (R) District 33

To learn which other legislative candidates have been previously endorsed by BusinessForce or how you can become involved in BusinessForce, visit www.orlando.org/businessforce or contact michael.ketchum@orlando.org.

County Commission Endorsements

At its June 18th Board of Directors meeting, BusinessForce, the political action arm of the Central Florida Partnership, released its endorsements in a number of key county commission races in Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties.

“Counties in our region face some daunting challenges ahead and it was felt the incumbent commissioners we endorsed were best equipped to meet them.  Where there were “open” county commission seats, the BusinessForce endorsed candidates demonstrated in their candidate interviews a vision and the capacity for real leadership,” said BusinessForce President Mike Ketchum.

In Orange County, Commissioner Fred Brummer was endorsed in District 2 while in Commissioner Tiffany Moore-Russell was the BusinessForce pick in District 6. For the “open” seat in District 5 which will be shortly vacated by Orange County Mayoral candidate Commissioner Bill Segal, Maitland Mayor Doug Kinson was endorsed over former Orange County Commissioner Ted Edwards.

Commissioner Fred Brummer District 2	Mayor Doug Kinson District 5	Commissioner Tiffany Moore-Russell District 6

A host of candidates are vying for the seat in the hotly contested race to succeed Commissioner Ken Smith in Osceola County Commission District 4.  Emerging from the pack as the BusinessForce choice for the Aug. 24th Republican primary was former Rep. Frank Attkisson of St. Cloud.

Frank Attkisson District 4

In Seminole County, voters will see strong challenges this summer to two of its incumbent county commissioners, Mike McLean in District 2 and veteran Carlton Henley in District 4.  However, BusinessForce again chose to endorse Commissioner Mike McLean and Commissioner Carlton Henley. Both commissioners were previously endorsed by BusinessForce in their 2006 races.

Commissioner Mike McLean District 2	Commissioner Carlton Henley District 4

To learn which other regional county commission candidates have been previously endorsed by BusinessForce or how you can become involved in BusinessForce, visit www.orlando.org/businessforce or contact michael.ketchum@orlando.org.