Matthew Falconer for Orange County Mayor won a straw poll in a landslide on Saturday at a candidate forum. The Supervisor of Elections conducted a poll with all Mayoral candidates on the official ballot. I won 73.3% of the vote while all six of my opponents collected only 26% of the vote combined. Only Marco Rubio had more votes (277) to Matthew Falconer (242). Below are the official results;
http://www.teapartypatriotslive.com/2010/02/13/orlando-tea-party-candidate-hob-nob-straw-poll-results/
What is clear from the vote is taxpayers are fed up with government of career politicians serving special interests. The Mayoral opposition candidates on the ballot included four incumbent commissioners with 28 years of “experience.” All four commissioners voted in unison for the taxpayer funded arena, corporate welfare programs, and the $3 billion commuter rail program they still do not know how we are going to pay for. None of the opposition candidates managed 9% of the vote.
In what may be the truest statement in the local media all year, Jane Healy from the Orlando Sentinel said Teresa Jacobs “might be in the wrong party.” I have called Teresa “Pelosi” the most liberal Republican in Florida, see the column below.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/os-ed-jane-healy-column-021410-20100212,0,3501971.column
I also received an email on Sunday that Mildred Fernandez is on her fifth campaign manager in as many months. The email stated “The Spanish community feels abandoned by her; they think she only wants to deal with rich white folks.” I have heard that statement many times in the past few months.
It is clear the era of “progressive” Republicans, or Republicans in Name Only, is over. I call on my “republican” opponents, Mildred and Teresa, to withdraw from this race and help me defeat the fiscally irresponsible Bill Segal-bama.
With your help, this will be the “Year of the Taxpayer.” Please join me at our precinct walk Saturday February 20th at 9am in East Orange County (by the Chipotle on Alafaya). We will knock on 700 doors and get out our message of lower taxes and more responsible government. It is time for the taxpayers to get off the couch and take back their government.
There are now five candidates for Orange County Mayor but only two choices; Matthew Falconer who will put Taxpayers First, and all of the rest who will put their special interests first.
February 26th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Matt Falconer’s Fiction vs. the Facts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk_0TSqfei8
FALCONER FICTION: Falconer attacks Teresa Jacobs for being a Democrat before she got into politics, and only switched because of her district.
FACT: Teresa Jacobs registered Republican 11 years ago. Before that, Teresa was registered no party affiliation, not Democrat. Oh, and Teresa cared enough to vote, unlike Falconer. (source: Orange County Supervisor of Elections office)
FALCONER FICTION: You attack Teresa by trying to label her a lobbyist for the Department of Transportation.
FACT: Teresa has never has been a lobbyist for DOT or anyone. In fact, one email inquiry to the DOT and they will tell you that she was expressly prohibited from meeting with any elected officials at any level of government while employed by DOT. If you can’t meet with them, you sure can’t lobby them. (source: FL DOT)
FALCONER FICTION: You accuse Teresa of raising taxes, increasing the size of government and having the gall to call herself a Republican.
FACT1: In 2006, when property tax revenue were raised by 20%, Teresa was the only commissioner who spoke out against the increase.
FACT2: Teresa was also the only commissioner who voted against the proposed property tax rate and the budget!
FACT3: In 2006, Teresa was the only commissioner to oppose a debt financing plan (Legacy Plan) that would have saddled taxpayers with a $530 million debt! (source: Orange County BOCC minutes)
FALCONER FICTION: You accuse Teresa of wanting to “spread the wealth” by raising tolls to use the money to pay for her train projects.
FACT: She did not want to raise tolls for rail projects or any other purpose, nor did she ever vote to raise tolls, and – in fact – proposed to lower tolls. In fact the OBJ article Matt cites, explains that very clearly. And she was also the only Commissioner to call for a full outside audit of the Expressway Authority in 2004, years before the trouble was finally exposed.
February 27th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Teresa Jacobs has lived off of my paycheck from the 10 years. She supported SunRail. She voted to build an arena for billionaire.
Just another RINO.
NO RINOs in the GOP!
March 29th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
“Bill Segal-bama”? What are you, six?