{"id":220309,"date":"2026-04-06T10:18:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T10:18:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/220309\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T10:18:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T10:18:14","slug":"lori-berman-fentrice-driskell-lead-flood-of-dems-endorsing-samuel-vilchez-santiago-in-hd-43","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/220309\/","title":{"rendered":"Lori Berman, Fentrice Driskell lead flood of Dems endorsing Samuel Vilchez Santiago in HD 43"},"content":{"rendered":"

Samuel Vilchez Santiago<\/a> says he has won the support of a majority of the Florida Democratic lawmakers in his bid for House District 43.<\/p>\n

Vilchez Santiago is a Democrat vying for the seat currently occupied by Rep. Johanna L\u00f3pez, who is\u00a0not seeking re-election<\/a> and is running for Orange County Board of Commissioners.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He is currently set to face Republican Robert Prater, who unsuccessfully ran for Orange County School Board 2018 and the House in 2019.<\/p>\n

Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman<\/a> and House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell<\/a> are backing Vilchez Santiago, according to his latest campaign press release.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need leaders who will stand firm in protecting our rights and advancing policies that support families,\u201d Berman said in a statement. \u201cSamuel Vilchez Santiago is ready to fight for access to healthcare, strong public schools, and the fundamental freedoms that matter most to our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

According to Vilchez Santiago\u2019s campaign, other state lawmakers endorsing him include Sens. Tina Scott Polsky\u00a0and Shevrin Jones and Reps. Jos\u00e9 Alvarez, Robin Bartleman, Kevin Chambliss, Lindsay Cross, Dan Daley, Gallop Franklin, Ashley Gantt, Dianne Hart-Lowman, Rob Long, Angie Nixon, Michele Rayner, Mitch Rosenwald, Kelly Skidmore and\u00a0Allison Tant.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m incredibly grateful and humbled to have the support and trust of so many leaders across Florida,\u201d Vilchez Santiago said in a statement. \u201cThis level of support shows just how serious and strong our campaign is, and the broad coalition we\u2019re building to win.\u201d<\/p>\n

Several Central Florida Democratic lawmakers, including L\u00f3pez, Sens. Carlos Guillermo Smith and LaVon Bracy Davis, and Rep. Anna Eskamani have already endorsed Vilchez Santiago. Outgoing Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings are also supporting him<\/a>.<\/p>\n

At 29 years old, Vilchez Santiago has emerged as a rising star in Orange County politics. He was the Orange County Democratic Party Chair for three years as the party pulled off big wins.<\/p>\n

HD 43 covers eastern Orange County north of Lake Nona and south of Colonial Drive.<\/p>\n

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