Supervisor Daisy Morales Considering Running for State Representative Amy Mercado’s Seat

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District (OSWCD) Supervisor Daisy Morales (D) says she’s considering a run for State Representative Amy Mercado‘s District 48 seat. The seat is considered a safe district for Democrats with a large Hispanic population. Mercado (D-Orlando) recently filed paperwork to run against incumbent Orange County Property Appraiser Rick Singh (D) in the 2020 primary election.

Source: Facebook

House District 48 covers central northern Orange County, including large Hispanic communities, from Aazalea Park to Meadow Woods.

“Representative Mercado has done a great job representing the residents in House District 48 in Tallahassee,” Morales recently told Florida National News. “If I decide to run, I will seek to expand upon the representative’s work as we move the district and state beyond COVID-19 pandemic.”

Morales shared with Florida National News that if she runs, her platform will include:

• Advocating for small businesses and workers’ rights
• Healthcare
• Environment
• Florida agriculture and helping farmers succeed
• Protecting Florida’s most vulnerable populations, especially seniors and the special needs community

Running for public office during a pandemic will be an uphill battle, especially for candidates without serious name recognition and a lack of direct engagement with the voters. Knocking on a resident’s door wearing a mask and other personal protective equipment may not be the best or safe campaign strategy to win over voters.

House District 48 had approximately 25 precincts open to the voters in 2018. Morales and Amy Mercado both defeated their opponents in each precinct by a landslide, according to Orange County Supervisor of Elections’ records. Morales and Mercado got no less than (54.37%) 55% of the votes in any precinct.

Both women nabbed a minimum of 55% (Daisy Morales in her re-election for Orange Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor) and 60% (Amy Mercado in her re-election for State Representative) in their respective elections in District 48 in 2018. Election data taken from the Orange County Supervisor of Elections website.

“As an elected official, I made it a priority to actively participate in numerous public and private events to support our residents on local and state issues that matter to them,” Morales noted. “I will continue to listen to elected officials, community leaders, residents and my family regarding the next step.”

Supervisor Morales is currently serving a second four-year term on the Soil & Water Board after winning re-election in 2018 with 256,000 votes against her opponent by a supermajority of Orange County votes. She was first elected in 2014 by defeating three opponents in a four-candidate countywide race.

Two other candidates filed to run for House District 48: Anthony Tsonis and Nelson Pena, both Democrats.

The ballot qualifying deadline is June 12, and the primary election happens August 18. No Republican challengers have filed at this point.