Nicolette Springer in June announcing her run for Orlando City Commissioner District 3. (Photo from Springer’s campaign Facebook)
ORLANDO | With election day nearing, Orlando City Commissioner District 3 candidate Nicolette Springer is kicking it into high gear as she continues reaching out to potential voters.
Since announcing her candidacy June 7, Springer has emphasized the importance of inclusivity for the LGBTQ community and other minority groups, wanting to create a safe space for Orlando residents to thrive regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or ethnicity.
Because of this, Springer has been endorsed by the Rainbow Democrats, an organization focused on fostering goodwill between the LGBTQ community and allied members of the Democratic Party.
“Candidate Nicolette Springer earned our endorsement due to her extensive work within the community, a firm understanding of the current affairs and existing programs within the city, and plans for enhancing or creating mechanisms that will help the LGBTQ+ community in the City of Orlando,” the Rainbow Democrats stated in its endorsement. “Such as her ideas for helping the homeless, her understanding that climate change affects everyone and must be addressed quickly, addressing the wage gap issue, or creating the cities first LGBTQ Citizen Advisory Board. Additionally, she assisted organizers against the anti-trans bill as our state government continues to attack our trans and non-binary community.”
The endorsement comes two weeks after District 3 candidate Martin “Leigh Shannon” Fugate decided to end his run for city commissioner and endorse incumbent, Robert Stuart, which came as a surprise to Springer.
“That was news to me, Leigh Shannon did not reach out to me,” Springer says. “He took the opportunity to endorse the current incumbent and that was his choice.”
Fugate’s biggest issue during his campaign was fighting against the Rosemont development, a $1 billion plan to add more than 5,600 new apartments and 350,000 square feet of retail and commercial space to the district. In an interview with Watermark Sept. 16, Fugate said Stuart’s vote against the controversial project is what led him to endorse the current commissioner. Springer says that it is important to involve and listen to residents in your decision-making process, including when it comes to the Rosemont Development Plan.
“I’ve spoken to a lot of residents in the Rosemont area, many of them are vocal about not wanting it but there are also residents who do want it. It’s an interesting project in the sense that yes that area does need some revitalization,” Springer said. “Is this the right project for that area? I don’t think so.”
Another major issue Springer says she is looking to address is road safety. Orlando is ranked as one of the worst cities for pedestrian safety, and Springer explains that incorporating safety measures and new road plans would be a top priority for her if elected.
“Looking at developments, how we’re designing roads and bike paths, we need to keep in mind that we have a particularly young professional population in our district and in the city of Orlando who are no longer as car dependent, Springer says. “If we want to keep and attract that young talent that we need, to keep our economy going, we need to make sure we have public services like public transportation and walkable safe streets where they would want to stay here and build their career.”
If elected, Springer emphasizes that she would be the only working mom on the commission which would allow her to bring a new, refreshing perspective to the seat.
“It’s basic math really, we are more than 50% of the population and our workforce is depleting because we don’t have access to things like childcare, equal pay or equal work. Those are things the city can combat,” Springer says. “There has not been a champion on the commission to address these issues, I plan to be that person.”
Springer will have her chance to address these issues when she appears on stage with her fellow candidates for a debate hosted by the Young Democrats of Orange County and moderated by WMFE’s Matthew Peddie on Sept. 29 starting at 6:30 p.m. ET. You can watch the debate online at Facebook.com/ElectYoungDems.
Election Day for Orlando’s District 3 City Commissioner is Nov. 2.
For more information about Springer’s campaign, go to nicolettespringer.com.
