A new Republican candidate is looking to topple U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., in 2014 while one of his primary rivals is adding to his campaign staff.
After filing his paperwork earlier in the summer to run for the Republican nomination to challenge Grayson, community activist Peter Vivaldi, who served on the Orange County Charter Review Commission and ran for Orange County School Board in 2012, ramped up his campaign on Monday introducing himself to voters with a Web video. Vivaldi is also on the board of Health Now, which provides services across Central Florida and runs the largest health fair in the state. With Vivaldis Puerto Rican heritage, his supporters hope he can appeal to the rapidly growing Puerto Rican population in Central Florida.
Standing on the sidelines wasn't an option for me anymore, Vivaldi said in a statement sent by his campaign to Sunshine State News on Monday. Washington in this day of constant connection seems as distant as ever. They minimize the problems facing our small-business owners, our children and seniors. They have allowed avoidable problems like reckless spending and useless regulation to accelerate to these critical levels. The budget deficit is not the only deficit in Washington; there is a leadership deficit, as well. I want to fill that deficit with conservative leadership to get our economy working, the budget balanced, and our personal liberty upheld.
Vivaldi becomes the third Republican to enter the race, joining Navy veteran Jorge Bonilla and Carol Platt from the Osceola County Realtor Association.
Bonilla, who is also looking to highlight his Puerto Rican heritage, announced on Monday that he was bringing in some key staffers who helped guide Marco Rubios win in the 2010 U.S. Senate election. Anthony Bustamante, who was Rubios field director, is now Bonillas senior campaign strategist, while Luis Hernandez, who helped Rubio with Hispanic outreach in Central Florida, joins on as a campaign adviser.
Anthony Bustamante brings extensive campaign experience, and an unprecedented grassroots network to our campaign. I am confident with Anthony on board we will build a winning team to Secure Americas Future, Bonilla said in a statement on Monday, highlighting his campaign slogan.
Having a prominent and respected local figure like Luis Hernandez on my team is a great honor, added Bonilla. I have seen firsthand Luis passion and commitment to the conservative cause and believe he will be a valuable asset to our campaign.
Bonilla and Platt did not return messages left by Sunshine State News on Monday.
While Vivaldi and Bonilla ramped up their efforts on Monday, Grayson still looms as a heavy favorite to keep his seat in 2014. After winning a Central Florida congressional seat in 2008 by defeating Republican incumbent Ric Keller, Grayson lost to Dan Webster in 2010. After redistricting, Grayson bounced by in 2012 and crushed Republican candidate Todd Long 63 percent to 37 percent to win a seat representing parts of Orange, Osceola and Polk counties. Democrats make up 43 percent of the district while only 29 percent of voters there are registered Republicans.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at 904-521-3722.
