In the Battle for Florida Legislature, Central Florida is Ground Zero
Source : Orlando Sentinel
September 7 – ORLANDO – House District 49: Covering a swath of east Orange County, this is a Democratic-leaning seat (40.8 percent to 30 percent) but also 30 percent Hispanic. Democrat Joe Saunders, a gay-rights advocate, faces Republican Marco Pena, a Florida Hospital development officer.
With so few competitive races statewide, Republicans are certain to retain strong majorities in the Legislature. But changes on the margins matter.
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Source : Orlando Sentinel
July 27 – TALLAHASSEE – Former Gov. Jeb Bush is going all out for Republican brethren this week. Especially if they’re named Marco.
Besides lobbying Mitt Romney to tap Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as his vice-presidential nominee, the former GOP Sunshine State standard-bearer has been throwing around some primary endorsements in legislative races, and on Friday endorsed Marco Peña in his House District 49 primary against fellow Republican Rene Plasencia.
“I am proud to endorse Marco Peña. Since serving as Student Body President at the University of Central Florida, Marco has been an involved member of his community,” Bush says in the endorsement release. ”Marco has the courage, experience and determination to confront the tough issues facing our state. His conservative leadership will well serve the people of Florida.”
Peña, 32, has been racking up local political endorsements in the race, but none carry more cache in Florida’s Hispanic community than Jeb.
”I am deeply honored by the support and endorsement of Governor Jeb Bush, a proven leader and friend. His passion for education, his commitment to reform, and his record of fostering economic growth is second to none. It was an honor to stand with him when he was Governor and I am proud to have Jeb on my side in the race ahead,” he says in the release…….
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Pena adds Endorsements in District 49 Race
Source: Orlando Sentinel
July 17 – Orlando – Marco Pena, the young Florida Hospital exec running in House District 49 in east Orange County, is working hard to earn the mantel of the Republican Establishment’s candidate in the race. Today, he announced the endorsement of Orange County Commissioners Jennifer Thompson and John Martinez. That’s after raising $53,000 (and loaning himself $10,000) by hitting up groups like the Florida Medical Association and Walt Disney. That’s well more than the $37,712 his Republican primary rival, Colonial High track coach Rene Plasencia, reported raising….
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Democrats, Republicans competing for new House District 49
Source : Orlando Sentinel
July 13 – TALLAHASSEE – For proof of how demographic shifts and redistricting are shaking up the political calculus in Central Florida, look no further than the races shaping up in Metro Orlando around several newly drawn, Hispanic-populated legislative districts…..
….Peña, 32, hails from the corporate world. After graduating from UCF, he went to work in management for Home Depot and Target, before moving back to Orlando in 2010 to work for Florida Hospital as a fundraiser and community outreach specialist.
A former UCF student body president, he has been racking up endorsements from players ranging from Rep. Eric Eisnaugle and Orange County Commissioner Jennifer Thompson to the Florida Medical Association and Florida Chamber.
He is billing himself as a “proven leader,” with corporate and health-care experience……
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Florida Chamber backs Peña in Central Florida legislative races
Source : Orlando Sentinel
July 11 – TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Chamber of Commerce, the most well-heeled business lobby in the Capitol, has issued its legislative endorsements, and the roster includes a few head-turners in Central Florida….
….It sided with Marco Peña, a Republican running for House District 49 who faces strong primary and general election opposition.
“Good government can only be obtained by electing candidates who understand Florida’s future needs and who are not afraid to make bold decisions that will get us there,” said Marian Johnson, Senior Vice President of Political Operations for the Florida Chamber of Commerce, in a statement. “Interviewing the candidates and finding where they stand on those issues is an absolute necessity before you can make an informed decision about whom to support. Our interview process is thorough and intense, and allows us to understand a candidate’s position before we make an endorsement.”….
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