Current Mayor of Orlando and longtime career politician John “Buddy” Dyer refuses to identify as “nonpartisan” on campaign materials.
By Jacob Engels
A month ago, career politician John H. “Buddy” Dyer was set to cruise into reelection as Mayor of Orlando – a position he has held for over 11 years. However, with the late entry of veteran and successful businessman Paul Paulson, Dyer’s plan for a coronation was dashed.
Paulson has hired Mike Shirley, who ran Rick Scott’s field operations during his successful primary challenge to favorite of special interest insiders Bill McCollum, then Attorney General. Sources have also confirmed that Mr. Paulson is prepared to commit a significant amount of money to toppling Dyer, telling us that he has been “blessed” and feels moved to give Orlando residents a choice on November 3rd.
As such, Mr. Dyer has been in an all out damage control trying to rehab his tarnished brand. After years of rampant tax hikes, utilizing taxpayer dollars for stimulus packages to millionaires and billionaires, and his recent attacks on Uber and Lyft. A Mayor who was indicted by a grand jury of his peers for election tampering and absentee ballot fraud. The residents of the City Beautiful are are fed up.
Paulson for Mayor signs are showing up all around the city, appearing in neighborhoods and in front of well-footed businesses. The campaign also has permanent and rotating billboards on I4 & 408, along with substantial TV ad buys… according to Frank Torres of Orlando Politics.
In recent communications sent out by the Dyer, he fails to identify in the disclaimer that this is a “nonpartisan” race. It is customary for candidates to do so, but Dyer is on the ropes and is reportedly relying heavily on the fact that people know he is a Democrat, since the voter registration numbers are in the Democrats favor.
What Dyer is not counting on is the fact that in low turnout elections in Presidential years, Republican voters are far more likely to vote. Furthermore, non party affiliated voters are not likely to break for a career politician in a year where outside candidates like Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders are shooting to the top of the polls. And that’s exactly what John H. “Buddy” Dyer does not want you to know.
He is the weakest he has ever been, up against a candidate who could outspend him 2-1. Outsider Paul Paulson’s investment in Orlando’s future is just what we need to get out from under the reign of Buddy Dyer. Good riddance.
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
