By Jacob Engels
UPDATE – As we reported early Monday afternoon, Carlos Smith has been elected as the new Chairman of the Orange County Democratic Party. Sources tell East Orlando Post that Smith crushed Doug Head backed Clinton Salter by a stunning margin.
The East Orlando Post is ready to call the race for Carlos Smith in the contest to replace outgoing Orange County Democratic Executive Committee Chairman Scott Randolph. Smith, an aide to State Representative Joe Saunders is also a UCF alumni, resides in Union Park, and veteran of Equality Florida.
Sources involved in Smith’s campaign are feeling comfortable that they have the votes necessary to win the chairmanship.
“The support is there and it’s not based in a single coalition or minority group. Elected democrats, LGBT, African-American, Asian, East Asian, and disability communities are lining up behind Carlos.” opined an operative involved in vote grabbing for Smith.
Another well placed source within Smith’s camp tells the East Orlando Post that a prominent Latino leader will nominate Carlos from the floor in a symbolic move meant to solidify support.
Just yesterday, Smith posted this photo on his facebook page of volunteers making DEC making calls to members encouraging them to support Smith’s candidacy. One of them, Ali Akin Kurnaz who was heavily involved in the UCF College Democrats before he graduated (a core voting block within the DEC) and also works for several other liberal leaning groups like Emerge USA and Planned Parenthood.
Kurnaz pictured bottom left with other volunteers during a phone bank for Smith.
“Carlos has been a strong leader in our party and is very passionate about improving the DEC” said Kurnaz.
The other candidate in the race, is Clinton Salter. Salter, is a founding member of the Central Florida Voter League. We’re told that Salter is being heavily backed by democratic gadfly and one-time DEC Chairman Doug Head. As of late, Head has been ruffling the feathers of local democratic leaders and grassroots activists a like with his constant resistance to plans and ideas that are not his own. Many local democrats have been left scratching their head wondering what is causing this weird behavior.
Head’s own analysis of the race posted on his facebook several days ago, touts Smith’s hard work, dedicated approach and leadership over the past several years. Wait….isn’t he supporting the other guy? One could understand why local democrats are confused by Head’s episodic ramblings.
With Salter failing to gain any traction in his bid backed by the “rambling man” Doug Head, Carlos Smith will be elected Chairman of the local democratic executive committee later this evening. You heard it here first.
Jacob Engels, is the Founder of East Orlando Post. Along with the Post, he owns several other businesses and is currently enrolled at Valencia College. Jacob has lived in Avalon Park since it’s founding and enjoys playing with his black Labradoodle Jasper, listening to indie rock, and seeking out new business ventures. He can be reached at info@eastorlandopost.com
