On Wednesday night The Osceola Chamber hosted the Osceola Hob Nob at the Kissimmee Civic Center. The Chamber offers this popular event in election years, and for decades the Osceola Hob Nob has proved a reliable way for candidates to get in front of the voting public in Osceola County during the election cycle.
All candidates running in races that touch Osceola County at the local, state, or national level were invited to pre-record a brief statement for the event to help event attendees become better acquainted with their platforms and positions. These video statements played in loop throughout the event and can be viewed below.
In addition, all candidates were invited to participate in the event with a physical booth space alongside our sponsors and other member businesses. Candidates with booth spaces also participated in a “Parade of Candidates” emceed by Chamber President/CEO John Newstreet.
Said John Newstreet, “The Osceola Chamber was pleased to host our Hob Nob for the community. As the saying goes, ‘Elections have consequences,’ and businesses of all sizes are feeling great pressure today and for the foreseeable future due. Attendees were able to engage candidates, vote in our straw poll, and build their network. The event showcased candidates across the spectrum on the Osceola ballot and highlighted how ‘Business Works Better Together.’”
Click here to see photos from the event courtesy of RTW Photography.
All ticketed attendees had the opportunity to vote for their favorite candidates with a straw poll facilitated by the Osceola County Supervisor of Elections office. Votes were tabulated at the end of the evening.
Results for the contested races were as follows:
President
*Joseph R. Biden – 42.75%
Robert F. Kennedy. Jr. – 15.61%
Donald J. Trump – 41.64%
United States Senator
Feena Bonoan – 0.41%
Stanley Campbell – 3.25%
John S. Columbus – 2.85%
Ben Everidge – 1.22%
Rod Joseph – 1.22%
Keith Gross – 2.03%
Tuan TQ Nguyen – 4.47%
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell – 28.46%
Brian Rush – 7.32%
*Rick Scott – 48.78%
U.S. House of Representatives, Florida Congressional District 9
Marcus Carter – 2.67%
Jose Castillo – 4.58%
Thomas Chalifoux – 11.07%
John “Q” Quinones – 12.98%
*Darren Soto – 68.70%
Florida Senate, District 25
Jon Arguello – 7.66%
*Kristen Arrington – 53.64%
Alan Grayson – 6.13%
Jose Martinez – 20.31%
Carmen Torres – 12.26%
State Attorney, 9th Judicial Circuit
*Andrew Bain – 48.28%
Seth Hyman – 6.90%
Thomas Feiter – 11.49%
Monique Worrell – 33.33%
Public Defender, 9th Judicial Circuit
Leonor Easter – 11.39%
*Melissa Vickers – 88.61%
Florida House of Representatives, Seat 35
*Erika Booth – 49.42%
Tom Keen – 38.22%
Laura McAdams Gomez – 12.36%
Florida House of Representatives, Seat 45
Carolina Amesty – 47.20%
*Leonard Spencer – 52.8%
Florida House of Representatives, Seat 46
*Jose Alvarez – 48.78%
Vanessa Alvarez – 9.35%
Jaqueline Centeno – 7.32%
Michael Cruz – 19.11%
Christian De la Torre – 6.50%
Robert LeWayne Johnson – 4.07%
Ivan A. Rivera – 4.88%
Florida House of Representatives, Seat 47
Andrew Jeng – 19.01%
Anthony Nieves – 22.73%
Maria Revelles – 11.16%
*Paula Stark – 47.11%
Osceola County Commission, District 1
*Peggy Choudhry – 70.36%
Disvany Martinez – 29.64%
Osceola County Commission, District 3
*Brandon Arrington – 54.84%
FiorD’Aliza Frias – 16.53%
Eric Montgomery – 5.24%
Debbie Rambis – 23.39%
Osceola County Commission, District 5
*Ricky Booth – 71.90%
Dianna Liebnitzky – 28.10%
Osceola County School Board Member, District 2
*Bethzaida Garcia – 66.81%
Diana Graniela – 14.71%
Julius Melendez – 18.49%
Osceola County School Board Member, District 3
Angel Coba – 24.79%
*Anthony Cook – 58.97%
Julia V. Tavarez – 16.24%
Osceola County School Board Member, District 5
Brian Bennett – 9.88%
*Paula Bronson – 48.15%
Scott Ramsey – 28.81%
Dylan J. Reinsel – 13.17%
Osceola County Sheriff
*Wiley Black – 34.47%
Luis “Tony” Fernadez – 4.29%
Russ Gibson – 14.77%
Marcos Lopez – 24.62%
Donnie Martinez – 11.36%
Amaryllis Rivera – 9.85%
Osceola County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
Jossue Lorenzo – 15.75%
Jennifer Soto – 27.17%
*Kelvin Soto – 57.09%
Osceola County Tax Collector
Rafael Martinez – 14.45%
*Bruce Vickers – 85.55%
Osceola County Property Appraiser
*Katrina Scarborough – 86.15%
Geny Shunnar – 13.85%
Osceola County Supervisor of Elections
*Mary Jane Arrington – 75.58%
James “Jim” Trautz – 24.42%
City of Kissimmee Commission, Seat 1
Noel Ortiz – 32.56%
Jamie Reyes – 33.02%
*Lisandra Roman – 34.42
City of Kissimmee Commission, Seat 3
Carlos Alvarez III – 30.77%
*Rubin Anderson – 37.56%
Wade A. Choate – 21.72%
Nichole Wagoner de Arguello – 9.95%
City of Kissimmee Commission, Seat 5 (Mayor)
Olga A. Carino – 23.77%
Olga L. Castano – 20.49%
John Cortes – 15.16%
*Jackie Espinosa – 40.57%
St. Cloud City Council, Seat 1 (Mayor)
Tony Busby – 38.60%
*Chris Robertson – 41.23%
Adam Wagner – 20.18%
St. Cloud City Council, Seat 2
Phil Lantry – 35.34%
*Jennifer A. Paul – 45.69%
Mandy Shafer – 18.97%
Circuit Court Judge – Circuit 9, Group 5
Joy Goodyear – 36.53%
*LaShawnda K. Jackson – 63.47%
Circuit Court Judge – Circuit 9, Group 15
Jeffrey Ashton – 24.47%
Chris Mack – 36.71%
*Alicia L. Peyton – 38.82%
Circuit Court Judge – Circuit 9, Group 37
Jason Willis – 28.64%
*Tanya Davis Wilson – 71.36%
Circuit Court Judge – Circuit 9, Group 43
Stephen Brown – 41.96%
*Craig McCarthy – 58.04%
County Court Judge, Group 2
Chris Bailey – 25.62%
*Gabby Sanders-Morency – 74.38%
The Osceola Hob Nob was sponsored by Walt Disney World and Orlando Health, with additional sponsorship from Solidarity Partners, Schoolfield Properties, and RTW Photography. The event partnered with the City of Kissimmee, Access Osceola, and the Osceola County Supervisor of Elections Office.
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On Tuesday, June 18, The Osceola Chamber welcomed Osceola County’s Florida state legislators for an update on the spring 2024 legislative session and their outlook for next fall in a panel discussion moderated by Walt Disney World Senior Government Advisory Manager Leticia Adams. The program also featured words from Congressman Darren Soto on federal successes for the county, and a report on the work of the Florida Department of Transportation’s 5th District from FDOT Director of Development Jack Adkins.
For the second year in a row, we were thrilled to welcome our Chamber members and community partners to the fabulous Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center for this annual event. As always, the program included lunch, and this year’s pan-seared beef filet with aged cheddar gratin potatoes and a carrot puree was excellent as always.
The program kicked off with a welcome from Chamber President/CEO John Newstreet and the National Anthem sung by Ulysses Escobar, who is an active member of the Chamber with his business Elev8 Mortgage. 2024 Chamber Chairman, and Osceola Magic Vice President, Carlos Velez took the stage next to recognize elected officials and thank our awesome sponsors for making the event possible. He compared the support of sponsors at community events to the teamwork required on the basketball court.
The Presenting Sponsor for the Osceola Update was Disney, as has been the case for many years, and Walt Disney World Senior Government Advisory Manager Elizabeth Watkins took the stage to thank our elected leaders for their dedication and share some of the latest updates at the Disney parks, including the soon-to-open Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. She then introduced U.S. Congressman Darren Soto, whose jurisdiction includes all of Osceola County. He reported on his successes in Washington including advancements for NeoCity.
After a short break to begin lunch service, Florida Department of Transportation, District 5 Director of Development Jack Adkins gave a detailed presentation on ongoing transportation projects that touch Osceola County, and the outlook for desired projects in the future. He noted the County’s record growth and its impact on our transportation needs.
Rebekah Hurd, Manager, Government Advocacy Central Florida Division with AdventHealth, who also volunteers her time as the Chairman of the Chamber’s Government Advisory Committee, explained the role of that Committee in recommending actions to the Chamber board of directors, as well as the importance of civic engagement. She applauded the work of the Chamber’s seven Coalitions in building the Chamber’s connections within Osceola’s diverse population and announced plans to bring the National Civics Bee to Central Florida in the spring.
The marquee moment of the Osceola Update, however, is always the moderated panel discussion between members of the Osceola Legislative Delegation. Our representatives include Senator Victor Torres (District 25), Representative Kristen Arrington (District 46), Representative Paula Stark (District 47), and Representative Tom Keen (District 35), who were present on this year’s panel, which was moderated by Disney’s Adams. Representative Carolina Amesty (District 45), the fourth state house representative whose district includes part of Osceola County, had to drop out of the panel at the last minute due to a conflict. The representatives detailed their accomplishments in the last session. They all stressed that the best way for the business community to engage with them heading into next session is to come see them now with requests or ideas. Representative Stark noted that “early engagement is great,” and Representative Arrington added that the reps “all have open door policies.” Senator Torres, who has termed out, thanked the crowd for the opportunity to serve.
The Osceola Chamber’s 2024 Osceola Update was sponsored by Walt Disney World Resort, Gaylord Palms, AdventHealth, Universal Orlando Resort, HCA Florida Healthcare, Orlando Health, Duke Energy, Encore, ABC Paving & Sealcoating, BankFlorida, Old Town, Overstreet Law, Tavistock, Gatorland, Toho Water Authority, the School District of Osceola County, and Skywater/IMEC.
