Frank Torres
The Central Florida Housing and Lodging Association told Florida Politics Friday morning that it will be endorsing three Orlando pols in upcoming municipal elections.
Mayor Buddy Dyer, District 4 City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, and District 6 City Commissioner Sam Ings will all get the support of the powerful interest group in this November’s Orlando city races.
“The CFHLA Political Action Committee has formally endorsed the re-election campaigns of Mayor Dyer, Commissioner Patty Sheehan and Commissioner Sam Ings for their continued support of the Central Florida Hospitality Industry,” a CFHLA spokesman wrote in an email Friday.
All three incumbents are facing formidable opposition this year. Orlando elections were moved up to this November to avoid a conflict with the presidential primaries next year.
Dyer faces business person and veteran Paul Paulson, who has launched a substantial self-funded campaign including an ad buy during the GOP debate on Wednesday night. Medical Student “Sunshine” Linda Grund is also running.
Sheehan faces activist and talk show host Randy Ross and Navy veteran Aretha Olivarez.
Ings has four opponents, including Realtor Nathan Chambers, activist Lawanna Gelzer, insurance agent Marcus Robinson, and law professor Ka’Juel Washington.
The Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association is one of Central Florida’s largest trade groups. The membership includes nearly 80 percent of the more than 121,000 hotel rooms in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties, plus nearly 500 “supplier” organizations that do business with the hospitality and tourism industries.
