ORLANDO—Despite his popularity and gay friendliness, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has at least one challenger when he comes up for reelection next year.
Community activist Randy Ross has decided to run for mayor against incumbent Dyer in the 2016 citywide election. Ross made the announcement on May 20.
“My hope will be to give a voice to the people of Orlando,” Ross said. “I’ve been listening and the people are not being heard.”
Ross said he will run less than a month after Dyer declared his intention to seek a fifth term during his State of the City address on April 29.
“I intend on holding the mayor accountable,” Ross said. “He should have to campaign and defend his decisions. We can’t just raise property taxes, move stadium plans or develop unprofitable rail systems without critical thinking as to the outcome.”
Ross was arrested in January on fraud charges. He pleaded guilty to a charge of falsifying an insurance claim on stolen lawn furniture. As part of his plea, Ross is serving five years probation and must perform community service.
“I always said that if I ran for office again I’d put my skeletons out front and center and I have,” Ross said.
Ross moved to Orlando in 1994. He has worked with an annual event locally to fight domestic violence. He ran unsuccessfully for the Orlando City Commission in 2012 and the Orange County School Board in 2000.
Jeremy Williams of Watermark Online contributed to this report.
