Orlando Realtors backing incumbents, Gary Siplin, in Orlando elections

The Orlando Regional Realtor Association has endorsed former state Sen. Gary Siplin for an open seat on the Orlando City Council, and is backing incumbents in other races, the organization announced Tuesday.

The endorsements include supporting the reelection bids of Mayor Buddy Dyer, City Commissioner Patty Sheehan in District 4, and Siplin in District 6 in the Nov. 5 city elections. The Realtors also endorsed City Commissioner Tony Ortiz in Disrict 2. But he has no opposition and so has already won reelection.

In addition, the Realtors announced their endorsement of fellow Realtor Emma Reichert in the election for Oviedo Mayor in Seminole County.

Siplin is facing health care executive Bakari Burns and community activist Lawanna Gelzer in the contest for District 6, covering southwest Orlando. That seat is coming open because incumbent Commissioner Sam Ings is running for Orlando Mayor.

Dyer faces Ings, a retired police officer, and retired Navy veteran and businesswoman Aretha Simons in the mayor’s race.

Sheehan faces Corey DeVogel in the District 4 contest to represent east-central Orlando.

Reichert is in a three-way contest with Randy Core and City Council Member Megan Sladek for the open Oviedo Mayor position. Incumbent Oviedo Mayor Dominic Persampiere announced this summer that he would not seek reelection this year.

The Orlando Regional Realtor Association represents more than 15,000 real estate professionals throughout Central Florida. It is the seventh largest Realtor organization in the country.  The group considers candidates based on his or her past voting records and sensitivity to real estate issues including homeownership and property rights.  The Realtors group also may provide campaign contributions through the Realtors Political Action Committee.