Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster
Carlos Guillermo Smith has received enough signatures to secure a spot on the ballot.
Smith announced Tuesday he received enough verified signatures to qualify for the House District 49 race. The first-time candidate said he was able to get the signatures needed after launching regularly scheduled volunteer canvassing events at the restaurant Lechonera Latina.
“The families, students and small businesses of East Orlando are rallying behind our campaign because they believe in our message for a stronger, fairer Florida. What we saw over the past several weeks was the building of a grassroots progressive machine behind our campaign, ready to turn out voters in November,” said Smith in a statement Tuesday. “Our growing base of supporters invested hundreds of volunteer hours to ensure we were the first campaign to qualify by petition … and we’re just getting started. I am grateful for their support.”
Smith is vying to replace Republican Rep. Rene Plasencia in the Florida House. Plasencia is running in nearby House District 50. Smith will face Republican Amber Lynn Mariano and Shea Silverman, a no party affiliation candidate.
State records show Smith received 1,010 verified signatures. He needed 976 to qualify by petition.
The official qualifying period for state legislative races runs from noon on June 20 until noon on June 24.
