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2020 election year
With 2020 an election year, and Osceola County along with the rest of the country dealing with COVID-19, campaigning for candidates might be a little tricky.
So we reached out to some of the candidates and asked them how the pandemic is affecting their campaign.
•Kissimmee Mayor Jose Alvarez, running for Osceola County Commission district 1. (Alvarez has termed out and cannot run again in the mayoral election).
How has COVID-19 made campaigning more challenging?
On March 12th, I decided to suspend all my campaign’s activities and plans until we have a better grip on the COVID-19 crises.
If anything, what are you doing differently to get your platform out to the people?
Currently, I’m choosing to do nothing campaign wise. I do fully expect to return to campaigning, but I honestly can’t think about when or how right now.
Are you concerned about getting COVID-19 in trying to run for office?
Not specifically by running for office. But I am very concerned about contracting it and further spreading it to my loved ones, colleagues, and the general public. Because of my role as Mayor and member of the Executive Management team of the Osceola Emergency Operations Center, I’m compelled to meet with more people than I would advise others to do.
While the election is still 7 months away, are you concerned about voter turnout with COVID-19?
Yes, we need more involvement, not less. But I do understand and appreciate people’s concerns, which is why I recommend that every citizen sign up to vote by mail.
•Casmore Shaw, running for Osceola County School Board district 2
How has COVID-19 made campaigning more challenging?
Thanks to advances in communication technology, campaigning remotely using social mead is now a legitimate option during this crisis.
If anything, what are you doing differently to get your platform out to the people?
While it is undoubtedly challenging being unable to meet the public in person right now, we are building up our social media and web presence to reach people and be reached by people without the risks associated with face-to-face contact.
Are you concerned about getting COVID-19 in trying to run for office?
I am not particularly concerned about getting COVID, because I am following the CDC’s guidelines for safety right now, and I urge everyone to do the same. I will endeavor to engage, inform, and educate my community, including the benefits of utilizing social media.
While the election is still 7 months away, are you concerned about voter turnout with COVID-19?
While COVID-19 could potentially have an impact on the elections, I believe that the availability of absentee voting will allow voters to exercise their franchise regardless of the state of this crisis at that point.
•County Commissioner Brandon Arrington, running for re-election in district 3
How has COVID-19 made campaigning more challenging?
The main change is the elimination of going door to door or events, in order to keep our community safe. These changes just make you be more resourceful and connect with voters in other ways.
If anything, what are you doing differently to get your platform out to the people?
We are utilizing social media and digital methods of communicating to connect with our community.
Are you concerned about getting COVID-19 in trying to run for office?
I am more concerned about the health of my family and the impact this virus will have on our community.
While the election is still 7 months away, are you concerned about voter turnout with COVID-19?
It is too early tell, but if you look at our Presidential Preference Primary that just happened you see that voter turnout was higher than 4 years ago. Large part of that is voters moving to Absentee Ballots.
•Marcos Marrero, running for County Commission district 3 (The questions were not included with his responses.)
I am very concerned. This virus could have a significant effect on elections all over the state. I recently sent the attached letter to the Governor, and CC’dd the SOE, and Secretary of State.
Right now, my biggest worry is the arcane petitioning and filing fee process. Currently, those forced to obtain petitions see themselves in a situation where they have two unreasonable options. First, they could risk exposing themselves and volunteers to individuals carrying the virus or exposing residents to the illness by trying to collect state mandated petitions. Second, they could try to buy their way into the election. This buy-in is unreasonable in many cases as the fee can be anywhere from $25 to a few thousand dollars. This political ransom can put any small campaigns at a disadvantage. They would be either unable to afford the fee or would have to give up needed campaign supplies to buy their way into the election. Of course, the more prominent campaigns that have had huge donations from big land developers and businesses can easily buy their way into the election. Regardless of being a good or lousy candidate, many of these same candidates will use this to their advantage. Winning by technicality rather than a vote simply because good candidates did not want to risk their resident’s health, and couldn’t afford the unreasonable fee.
As to getting my platform out, I am not worried as I do not need to depend on the old models that my opponent will more than likely use. I have been using all the technology available to contact my constituents. I have moved towards making more phone calls and sending regular emails. And though I may not get as many responses as knocking on doors, many are still willing to talk and enjoying hearing from a candidate. Direct calls are something that many have told me they have never experienced.
Currently, I am incredibly concerned about becoming a carrier. Though many say it may not affect someone my age, I am worried about my grandmother’s, one of which is in lockdown at Good Samaritan. I have been unable to see her for two weeks, amd the other that lives alone and depends on my mother and aunt to get things done like groceries. We are a very close family, and it would be excruciating to find out that I am responsible for their possible sickness or death.
Voter turnout won’t matter unless the governor steps in to set aside all the statutes and administrative rules listed in my letter. Unless her acts, this election will be won by money, not by candidates. Sadly, the ones most affected by this election will not be the candidates that lose by a technicality but the residents. They will be the ones that see their community taken hostage by big corporations and officials that only care about their bottom line.
•Mike Fisher, running for Osceola County Sheriff
How has COVID-19 made campaigning more challenging?
The COVID-19 virus has created the challenge of how to directly communicate, face to face, with the voters of Osceola County who are invested in making sure that their Sheriff ’s Office is the best in the state of Florida. The cancellation of community events and the temporary suspension of neighborhood canvassing has halted the traditional methods of being available to directly meet and talk to voters. The overriding priority right now is our communities safety and well being, certainly we understand the need to keep gatherings and unnecessary contact to a minimum.
If anything, what are you doing differently to get your platform out to the people?
The campaign has increased our investment in the utilization of social media platforms, to extend the message of the campaign’s platform. Additionally, we have created the action of “virtual canvassing” where we ask supporters to “like” and “share” the campaign website (www.fisher4sheriff. com) and our facebook page with a personal anecdote about why they are involved in the campaign. We are also still making contact with voters by phone and visiting them in some cases (at their request) but practicing universal precautions.
Are you concerned about getting COVID-19 in trying to run for office?
I’m not worried about it. I am being vigilant about contact with people and using the precautions outlined by the CDC. As a lifelong law enforcement professional, I have been trained to lead by example in emergency situations and to implement the practices and procedures that protect our community in times of crisis. We will get beyond this and I have a responsibility as a community leader and example to remain positive and to demonstrate that by my actions and deeds daily. During our last pandemic (the swine flu/H1N1), I was on the front lines as a Patrol Lt. Our law enforcement, fire and rescue and healthcare providers are well trained in safety procedures for themselves and our community and we all need to be smart and follow their directives as we navigate this complicated situation.
While the election is still 7 months away, are you concerned about voter turnout with COVID-19?
I am concerned that voter turnout in August may be negatively affected, but I also have faith that our Supervisor of Elections Office has a strong plan for how to encourage voters to utilize the Vote by Mail option.
The News-Gazette will run a second series of candidates in the April 23 edition.
