Poll asked Seminole voters about a Greenberg vs. Murphy contest
Joel Greenberg, Seminole County’s controversial tax collector who is seeking a second term, says he has “zero desire” to instead run for Congress in November.
A poll conducted this month asked Seminole voters whether they would vote for Greenberg against U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Winter Park, if an election were held now, raising speculation about whether he may challenge her for the seat.
The survey also asked respondents by phone and text if they have favorable or unfavorable opinions of Greenberg and Murphy.
Greenberg said he had not seen the poll. He also did not answer specific questions about the survey —including whether he or his campaign commissioned it.
“I am not running for
Congress,” the Republican said in a pair of emails to the Sentinel. “I am not willing to spend millions of dollars to fund a congressional race, which is entirely winnable with Trump on the ballot. Nor do I want to live in [Washington] D.C. where it is freezing at times. I don’t want to be away from my wife and
two young children for extended periods and most importantly I hear congressmen don’t get to carry a badge and gun, (which was totally the deal breaker for me). Although, I heard they are allowed to speed if en route to cast a vote….”
Greenberg added that he is committed to winning his current political race and serving another term.
Murphy’s campaign also was not familiar with the survey.
“Congresswoman Murphy has not seen this poll and does not have a comment on the poll or Mr. Greenberg,” said campaign spokesman Chip Harris in an email to the Sentinel.
The poll states it’s being conducted by Local Issues Research. But according to state records, no company with such a name exists.
Hours after Greenberg was asked about the poll, the web link to the poll was shut down.
Other questions on the survey included:
• “Stephanie Murphy voted to impeach and remove President Trump from office. Does that make you more or less likely to vote for her?”
• “Joel Greenberg, in his current role as Seminole County Tax Collector, has shown effective leadership and improved customer service by reducing wait times, expanding new office locations and using technology to modernize the county government. Does this make you more or less likely to vote for him?”
Greenberg, 35, a Lake Mary resident, filed Sept. 12 to run for reelection. He faces challenges from Chuluota resident Brian Beute and Sanford resident J.R. Kroll in the Republican primary on Aug. 18. The winner will likely face Democrat Lynn “Moira” Dictor in the Nov. 3 countywide general election.
Greenberg was elected in 2016, ousting longtime incumbent Ray Valdes in the GOP primary and then easily defeating a write-in candidate in the general election.
During his campaign, Greenberg promised to modernize the Tax Collector’s Office, including reducing wait times.
But almost as soon as he stepped into office in January 2017, Greenberg has been mired in controversies.
In June 2017, he announced that he would allow his employees to carry firearms. Greenberg often wears a badge that resembles a law enforcement officer’s medallion.
Six months later, Greenberg was accused of turning on white flashing lights on his dark SUV and following a Sanford woman to the front of her subdivision to tell her to stop speeding while he wore his badge around his neck.
Then in January 2018, Greenberg is seen on a police video asking a Lake Mary police officer for “professional courtesy” and telling him he was an elected official as he tried talking his way out of a speeding ticket. Greenberg ended up paying the $206 speeding citation.
A poll question asked: “While being issued a ticket for speeding, Joel Greenberg asked the citing officer for professional courtesy and to only be issued a warning violation. The media reported this as Joel Greenberg attempting to use his official position to get out of a speeding ticket. Does this make you more or less likely to vote for him?”
Last September, Greenberg formed a private company at the county’s Tax
Collector’s administrative office in Lake Mary that uses blockchain technology to encrypt and migrate information from drivers’ licenses, property taxes and other functions.
Beute and Kroll said those actions are what spurred them to run against Greenberg. However, both candidates said they were unfamiliar with the poll querying voters about Greenberg challenging Murphy and laughed when told about it.
“It wouldn’t surprise me one bit,” Beute said. “This is something he’s talked about for a year….Actually, I think he should resign. I know citizens across Seminole that want to see him removed from office.” Kroll agreed.
“He’s talked about it in Republican circles,” Kroll said. “I’m focused on my race…And I’ve been ready for a fight since day one.”
Murphy, a Democrat, was elected in November 2016 after ousting longtime Republican congressman John Mica. Her district includes all of Seminole County, Winter Park, Maitland and portions of Orlando.