Ex-Chair Samuel Vilchez Santiago Could Face State Party Investigation over statements to Orlando Sentinel

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Former Florida State Representative and Democratic candidate for Florida House District 43 Daisy Morales has issued a strongly worded press release calling on the Florida Democratic Party to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her removal from the Orange County Democratic Executive Committee.

In the release, the Morales campaign asks the state party to examine whether local party rules were applied fairly and consistently, whether due process was followed, and whether any actual or perceived conflicts of interest existed involving former Orange County Democratic Executive Committee Chair and current House District 43 opponent Samuel Vilchez Santiago.

The campaign also requests that the Florida Democratic Party preserve all records related to the disciplinary process and determine whether any party rules or ethical standards were violated.

Campaign Calls for Independent Investigation

According to the Morales campaign, the request extends beyond a single political dispute and raises broader questions about transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the Democratic Party’s internal disciplinary process.

“This investigation is bigger than one campaign. It is about protecting the integrity of the Democratic Party and ensuring that every member is treated fairly, consistently, and with due process.”

— Daisy Morales

Morales also stated:

“I welcome a fair and impartial investigation. Democratic voters deserve confidence that party rules are applied equally to everyone, regardless of political position, personal relationships, or whether someone is running for office.”

Campaign Challenges Basis for Removal

According to the Morales campaign, her removal was based on allegations that she endorsed Republican Orange County Commission District 5 candidate Joel Montilla during the 2024 election cycle.

Morales disputes that allegation and is asking the Florida Democratic Party to review the complete factual record before reaching any conclusions.

Joel Montilla: “She Did Not”

Florida National News submitted written questions to attorney Joel Montilla regarding the allegation.

Montilla responded that Morales did not endorse his campaign.

“She did not. She only agreed to be on my host committee as I launched my campaign.”

Montilla further stated:

“There was no endorsement, only support in running. Daisy and I worked on a number of initiatives within the Puerto Rican community. My goal was to have half Democrats and half Republicans support my kickoff to show the bipartisanship in a nonpartisan race. Daisy wasn’t the only local Democrat on my host committee. There were a few.”

When asked what documentation supported his response, Montilla replied:

“The Host Committee flyer is the only material bearing her name.”

The Morales campaign contends that Montilla’s written statement should be considered by the Florida Democratic Party during any review of her removal.

Morales Requests Consistency Review

As part of her request, Morales is also asking the Florida Democratic Party to determine whether party rules have been enforced consistently in other publicly reported instances involving Democrats who supported Republican candidates.

Among the examples cited by the Morales campaign:

• Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer publicly endorsed Republican Steve Leary during the 2024 Orange County Commission District 5 race.
• A Florida Politics report published in August 2025 reported that former Kissimmee Mayor and former Democratic State Representative José Álvarez endorsed Republican State Representative Fabián Basabe. Morales also noted that Álvarez later endorsed Samuel Vilchez Santiago’s campaign for Florida House District 43.

Morales is requesting that the Florida Democratic Party determine whether those or similar situations received comparable review or disciplinary action.

“If party rules are going to be enforced, they should be enforced fairly, consistently, and transparently. Equal treatment and due process should apply to every Democrat.”

— Daisy Morales

Questions Raised About Party Process

The Morales campaign also questions whether the disciplinary process became intertwined with the ongoing Democratic primary for House District 43.

Morales said she continues to seek official documentation relating to her removal, including meeting minutes, resolutions, voting records, disciplinary findings, correspondence, notices, investigative materials, and other supporting documentation.

According to the campaign, those records are necessary to determine whether party rules and due process requirements were properly followed.

Requested Action

The Morales campaign is asking the Florida Democratic Party to:

• Conduct an independent investigation.
• Preserve all relevant records.
• Review whether party rules were applied consistently.
• Determine whether any actual or perceived conflicts of interest existed.
• Issue findings based on the complete documentary record.

The campaign further requests that, if an investigation determines any individual violated party rules or ethical standards or otherwise compromised the integrity of the disciplinary process, the Florida Democratic Party take whatever action it considers appropriate under its governing rules.

Florida Democratic Party Asked to Respond

Florida National News has submitted written questions to the Florida Democratic Party regarding Morales’ request for an investigation and reinstatement, including whether the Party intends to investigate the matter, preserve relevant records, and consider Montilla’s written statement as part of any review.

Florida National News has also requested comment from Samuel Vilchez Santiago regarding Morales’ request that the Florida Democratic Party review statements attributed to him concerning her removal.

Any responses received will be included in future updates.

What’s Next?

As of publication, the Florida Democratic Party has not publicly announced whether it will conduct an investigation into Morales’ request.

If the state party elects to open a review, it could examine official records, documentary evidence, and statements submitted by the parties involved before determining whether any additional action is warranted under its governing rules.

The outcome could have broader implications for transparency, due process, consistency in the application of party rules, and public confidence in the Democratic Party’s internal governance during contested primary elections.