Republican Scott Boyd Featured In New Mailer Supporting Democrat Tiffany Moore Russell In Clerks Race Termed out & acting as a free spirit – Longtime GOP Orange County Commissioner has recently endorsed Democrat Tiffany Moore-Russell and is featured in a new mailer from PAC with questionable funding sources.
By Jacob Engels
Today, Orange County GOP voters received a mailer promoting the candidacy of liberal Orange County Commissioner Tiffany Moore Russell – plastered with the face of fellow Commissioner Scott Boyd. The mailer was paid for by the Central Florida Leadership PAC, which is chaired by politically connected Winter Park attorney Christine Lomas. Moore Russell is currently running against recently appointed Orange County Clerk of Courts Eddie Fernandez, who was appointed to finish out the term of the late Lydia Gardner.
In the mailer, Boyd praises Moore Russell’s work on the Orange County Commission saying this –
Exclusive copy of the mailer from Central Florida Leadership PAC.
“I have always found her to be an informed voice of reason, who can address the complexities of local government, enabling us to move Orange County forward. I trust that Tiffany’s demonstrated experience and sound judgement, will deliver responsive & effective leadership for Orange County.”
The other side of the mailer featured Russell praising her as an Orange County native who voters can trust. Central Florida Leadership PAC is funded in large part by the I SHOP LLC, which owns the Orlando Wyndham – they chipped in $7,000 on August 11th. Wealthy developer and known top tier Democratic donor Jim Pugh has contributed $2,500 on July 24th. New York multimedia tycoon Robert Stellerman, who is worth an estimated $975 million forked over $6,000 in June.
An LLC with potential connections to a Texas based law firm & collections agency – also donated $4,000 on the 17th of this month. Calls to the number listed on the Florida Division of Elections website as the contact point for Central Florida PAC were not returned, so we have no idea how much was spent on the mailer as of yet.
Central Florida Leadership has raised just over $31,000 and spent over $16,000 of that according to the latest financial reports. Even though Boyd is term-limited and serving out his final term, this is a very odd move for a sitting Republican commissioner to endorse the Democrat in a partisan race. A move like this, especially against someone like Fernandez who is beloved by the party faithful – is something that Republicans will remember if Boyd wants to run for office again in the near future.
Fernadez had this to say about the mailer before entering a campaign event early Thursday evening.
“I’m surprised. We have accomplished a lot in the last 8 months. Partnering with Harbor House to provide housing, cutting the budget by $1 million dollars without having to let anyone go. Someone on the County Commission should be well aware of the creativity have used and success we have had implementing reform at the Orange County Clerk of Courts.”
Calls to Orange County Commissioner Tiffany Moore Russell were not returned.
Jacob Engels, is the Founder of East Orlando Post & Seminole County Post. He is a seasoned political operative who has led numerous statewide political groups and has worked on several high-profile local, statewide, and national races. Jacob has been interviewed on national television & radio programs, with his work having been featured in the Orlando Sentinel, New York Times, Washington Post, Miami Herald and other publications nationwide. He can be reached at info@eastorlandopost.com
