Paulson, Grund challenge Dyer to mayoral debate

Jeff Weiner

The two candidates seeking to unseat Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer in the city’s upcoming municipal elections appeared together Monday outside City Hall to challenge the incumbent to debate.

Paul Paulson and “Sunshine” Linda-Marie Grund accused the incumbent of side-stepping recent candidate forums, including an interview with WMFE radio and a forum the Step Up Against Poverty Initiative had proposed.

“So where is Mr. Dyer? He’s somewhere in the ivory towers eating cake, while us folks are down here eating bread, meat and potatoes,” Paulson said. “We have to talk about the issues that are important.”

Said Grund: “That is why we’re here today, is to call out Mayor Dyer ... that all candidates [should] have an opportunity to speak to the citizens, because there is no opportunity publicly to voice our platform.”

Orlando’s municipal elections are less than a month away. Paulson said he and Grund were available to debate the incumbent “any time, any place.”

The three candidates did appear together in September to be interviewed by the Orlando Sentinel’s Editorial Board, though Grund noted that the rules of that forum made clear it was not a debate.

In a statement, Dyer’s campaign said he “continues to talk directly with voters across the city” and will also appear alongside his opponents on an episode of Channel 9-WFTV’s “Central Florida Spotlight.”

“He looks forward to the opportunity to continue talking about strengthening public safety and investing in vibrant neighborhoods,” said David Beattie, a senior adviser for Dyer’s campaign.

Monday’s press conference paired the race’s best funded candidate, in Paulson, with its least funded, Grund.

jeweiner@tribune.com or 407-420-5171