Patty Sheehan & Buddy Dyer Turn Backs on Hispanics, Democrats (again…)

Yet again, local elected Democrats Orlando Commissioner Patty Sheehan and Mayor Buddy Dyer have turned their backs on our party and our minority candidates. Sheehan and Dyer endorsed Damiani over fellow Democrat Michael Aviles for Orange County Commission, District 3. Aviles is the ONLY Democrat in the race. Read more about it here. This is happening more and more, especially when you look at the trends of who the establishment gets behind (and the results).

But Sheehan’s move is really disappointing since she benefited with Democratic resources, mailers and money in her latest re-election bid. Aretha Olivarez is a Veteran, a Small Business owner and a wonderful mother. She also became a great friend of mine along the campaign trail. It was really sad to see my party not even talk to Aretha and then to go further by supporting another Democrat over her with their resources.

But now Patty Sheehan does this to return the favor? She could have at least kept her mouth shut this soon after getting Democratic Party support. Michael Aviles has been endorsed by the local Democratic Party.

Sheehan’s latest move is a kick to an important part of the Democratic base when they were already down. But the lack of party discipline demands a response from the Democratic Party. Earlier this year, the Florida Democratic Party paid for mailers to support Sheehan and Mayor Dyer in their re-election bids. Democratic Party money was spent on numerous mailers to promote Sheehan over Aretha Olivarez, an African-American Veteran and small business owner. Now Sheehan returns the favor by going against the only Democrat and another minority while little has been said by Democratic leaders against the move.

This action is only made more troubling because Sheehan not only snubbed her party, she has also broken ranks with the Hispanic community, which now makes up almost one-third of the population in Orange County. President Obama and Democrats will need strong Hispanic support and turnout to win in Florida.

Damiani was never elected to the Commission, he was appointed. This is the latest trend as Sheehan continues to follow the direction of Dyer and others controlling the City Council. Dyer breaks ranks often for his own ambition, even endorsing Republican Speaker Dean Cannon who led the attacks on the middle, working and poor classes. Dyer’s endorsement of Cannon in 2010 was a blow to another Hispanic Democratic candidate. Now if you look closely, Mayor Dyer’s donors have been funneling money to Damiani as well – money that could be going to help elect more Democrats like Aviles. The actions of these local Democratic elected officials have been noticed and are causing rifts within the Hispanic and Democratic communities across the county.

 

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