Siplin’s sister among candidates to replace her

Orange County Commissioner Victoria Siplin’s elder sister is part of a crowded, early field of candidates vying to succeed the term-limited incumbent.

Qualifying doesn’t officially begin for the August primary election until mid-June, but Siplin’s sister, Hedder Pierre-Joseph, 49, is among seven candidates in the nonpartisan race to represent District 6, which includes International Drive and most of Pine Hills.

Pierre-Joseph, 13 months older than the commissioner, describes herself on her website, pushingforprogress.com, as passionate about issues affecting the district, including business development, immigration and sustainable housing. She did not return messages left to discuss her ideas.

All the candidates are, like Siplin, registered as Democrats.

Siplin can’t run for re-election because she already has served the time allowed by the county charter.

Who are the others?

Rosemarie Diehl, 63, describes herself on her campaign website, rosemariedielhd6. com, as an organizer and advocate who has served for many years as volunteer president of her neighborhood’s homeowners’ group, the Robinswood Community Improvement Association.

Diehl said she strives to keep the district uncluttered and bring awareness to its issues.

A Pine Hills resident for 40 years, she said she has yanked thousands of illegal signs from public rights-of-way, helped identify sick and dying trees for removal, and lobbied for changes to make troublesome intersections safer for motorists and pedestrians.

Lawanna Gelzer, 59, a community activist and frequent candidate, said she wants to increase affordable housing options. Gelzer, who most recently ran unsuccessfully for

Orlando city commissioner, is self-funding her campaign.

“One thing that separates me from all the other candidates, who all might be great individuals, is that I’m out here doing the work every day,” Gelzer said. “I’m not worried about how many times I’ve run or lost. I never stop fighting and working for the community.”

Cynthia Harris, 54, said unlike most other candidates, she doesn’t want Siplin’s endorsement.

“We deserve so much more than what we’ve gotten,” Harris said.

A resident of the Malibu Groves neighborhood, Harris said she would like to restore twice-aweek trash collection.

Nikki Mims McGee, 41, an Orlando native, is a first-time candidate who served on the 2020 Charter Review Commission.

She was appointed to the panel by Siplin and helped draft two conservation-based measures that voters approved by landslide margins: one intended to thwart development of Split Oak Forest and the other gave legal standing to lakes and rivers.

According to her campaign website, vote4nikki.com her goal is “to build a community focused on progress and prosperity.”

Michael Scott, 39, a three-time candidate for Orange County school board, is making his first run for commissioner.

He serves as coordinator for Orlando’s My Brother’s Keeper program, a mentoring initiative started by former President Barack Obama. He resides in Tangelo Park.

Scott said the county needs to focus on building affordable housing inventory.

“Second only to that is opportunities and services for our young people,” he said.

Roberta Walton Johnson, 47, serves as general counsel for Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell.

While Moore Russell was District 6 commissioner, Johnson worked as her district aide for several years.

She said she is concerned about affordable housing and infrastructure.

“We need more economic diversity in the district,” Johnson said.