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News
BusinessForce, the political action arm of the Central Florida Partnership, has released its long awaited 2012 endorsements for 28 state and county offices throughout the region. Its endorsement recommendations may be found on the Central Florida Partnership's website www.orlando.org/businessforce. Many of the endorsed candidates will be in primary races appearing on the Aug. 14th primary ballot while others will not appear on the ballot until the Nov. 6th general election. Over the last several months, three BusinessForce Committees appointed by its Chair, Jay Galbraith of SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment and composed of BusinessForce Board of Directors members, have conducted numerous interviews with candidates for regional County Commission posts, seats in the Central Florida Legislative Delegation and the Orange County School Board. In addition to scrutinizing their qualifications for office, candidates were closely questioned by the committee members on their positions on a host of important issues ranging from Central Florida Partnership's Regional Priorities to the Florida Chamber of Commerce's "Business Agenda." According to BusinessForce President Mike Ketchum, the task before BusinessForce was "to identify and support the person in each race who, without regard to political party, best embraced the Central Florida Partnership's regional priorities as well as demonstrated an understanding of, and a commitment to the free enterprise system and a pro-business, jobs creation agenda." In forging consensus on these critical endorsement decisions, Ketchum saluted the leadership and hard work of County Commission Committee Chair Craig Swygert of Clear Channel Outdoor, Legislative Committee Chair Mike Mitchell of Publix Super Markets and School Board Chair Linda Landman Gonzalez of the Orlando Magic along with the membership of their respective committees. Ketchum indicated the 2012 election cycle was a particularly challenging one for BusinessForce with redistricting uncertainties, changing demographics in the region and many "open" seats coming into play. Still more BusinessForce endorsements will be forthcoming later in the summer following additional candidate interviews when endorsement decisions will be made on a number of key races that will appear and be decided on the general election ballot.
To learn more about BusinessForce and how you can become involved, visit www.orlando.org/businessforce or contact michael.ketchum@orlando.org. |
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Affecting positive change in the Central Florida Region requires strong "Regional Public Policy Advocacy" - an important line of business for the Central Florida Partnership. BusinessForce, our "Political-Action-Arm," is making a positive difference by sharing important regional conversations, encouraging and supporting candidates for public office, and helping to guide civic, political and business leaders about the future. Working together with Orlando, Inc. focused on Regional Entrepreneurship, Leadership Orlando (Regional Leadership), and myregion.org (Regional Research & Resolves), the Central Florida Partnership is moving "Ideas to Results." |
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