Scott Powers
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has launched the first television commercial of his campaign to seek a fifth full term, with an ad declaring himself “the happiest mayor in America.”
Dyer faces Orlando City Commissioner Sam Ings and businesswoman Aretha Simons in the Nov. 5 municipal election.
His first commercial, a 30-second spot dubbed “Together”, began running Monday on at least four Orlando TV stations, the NBC affiliate WESH Channel 2, the CBS affiliate WKMG Channel 6, the CW affiliate WKCF Channel 18, and the Univision affiliate WVEN Channel 26. The initial buys, which run through next Sunday, were for about $23,000 on those channels.
The “Together” theme in part answers criticism that Ings and Simons have been leveling, that Dyers’ 16-year administration in Orlando has been less inclusive than it could have been, particularly in largely low-income and minority parts of town they charge have been neglected. It’s a charge Dyer has been refuting throughout his campaign, and his answer shows up in the first TV spot.
“We’re doing things right because we’re doing things together,” Dyer says in the commercial. “Building transportation infrastructure to improve our quality of life. Adding more police protection to reduce crime. And spending time and resources to lift up every part of our growing, inclusive city.”
As he says that, video shows Dyer at the dedication of a downtown memorial to July Perry, an African American leader from Ocoee who was lynched in a 1920 episode of racial hatred; marching in the city’s Puerto Rican Day parade; meeting with Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, and talking to people in various places, including a school and a park.
Then it ends with a widely grinning Dyer declaring, “I’m Buddy Dyer, the happiest mayor in America.”
