Political newcomer wins council seat
Bakari Burns overcame a steep fundraising disadvantage and secured a seat on the Orlando City Council in a runoff election Tuesday.
In the two-way race, Burns pulled in 68% of the vote, swamping Gary Siplin, a former state senator who was seeking a return to elected office. Burns spent $55,000 on the race, about $100,000 less than Siplin, who raised close to $200,000.
Only a fraction of voters in the southwest Orlando district voted — turnout was 11.6%, and 2,914 votes were tallied.
“The energy we were getting and the feedback we got from the residents is what made me not surprised,” Burns said of the result. “Really what I think happened the first time was there were a lot of people who didn’t know who I was, but when they heard about this newcomer … I think people started to inquire about me.”
The district covers area around Universal Orlando Resort, which contributed to Siplin’s campaign, as well as neighborhoods like Holden Heights, Washington
Shores and MetroWest. Sam Ings, the incumbent commissioner, ran for mayor and opted not to seek re-election in District 6.
Burns said he kept the same routine as he did on Election Day in November: He woke up at the same time, but admittedly, “I think I may have prayed a little bit more this time,” he said.
Burns is the CEO of the Healthcare Center for the Homeless, known as Orange Blossom Family Health, which provides medical care for the uninsured and underinsured.
He was involved in developing the region’s housing-first initiative for the homeless and vowed to prioritize neighborhood infrastructure and storm drain upgrades if elected.
Burns said Tuesday he planned to continue working at Orange Blossom Family Health, and as commissioner, he planned to empower neighborhood associations and be a voice for the residents, while working with businesses to improve the district.
Since November, his campaign was endorsed by local unions including AFL-CIO and Unite Here, which combined represent about 100,000 workers in labor fields and hospitality at Walt Disney World and other attractions.
For Siplin, whose wife Victoria is an Orange County Commissioner, it’s a third consecutive defeat. In 2014 he was defeated in the Democratic primary by Geraldine Thompson for a state Senate seat, and in 2016 he was defeated in the primary by Randolph Bracy for another Senate seat.
He said last month, despite finishing second in the general election, that he was confident he would prevail because he picked up an endorsement from Lawanna Gelzer, who finished third in the November race.
Last week, Siplin was critical of a cityapproved sale of land to a community land trust and said he would help residents petition the city council when they meet next week to overturn the May vote, and if unsuccessful, would sue.
Siplin couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
A seat on the city council pays a salary of $63,374.77, and commissioners serve fouryear terms. Earlier this year, incumbents Patty Sheehan and Tony Ortiz were reelected without opposition, and Mayor Buddy Dyer defeated two challengers — including Ings.
Burns’ term begins Jan. 13.