We sit down with Stephanie Ziglar, a third-generation Orlandoan and candidate for Orange County District 3. Drawing on her extensive background in nonprofit leadership and her role as Executive Director of Curry Ford West, Stephanie discusses the fragile "life cycle" of our local economy. We dive into the critical need for diversifying Tourism Development Taxes (TDT) to support struggling small businesses, the challenge of managing failing infrastructure in our urban core, and the importance of smart, pedestrian-first development. From her first-grade mission to protect manatees to her current fight for "connected communities," Stephanie explains why she’s trading the nonprofit world for the County Commission to ensure no neighborhood is left behind.

Learn more at https://www.voteziglar.org

In this episode of Organizing to Victory, we sit down with Angie Gallo, former Orange County School Board member for District 1 and candidate for School Board Chair. Angie shares her journey from stay-at-home mom to PTA leader to education policy advocate in Tallahassee. We dive deep into the current threats facing Florida's public schools, including the dangerous rollback of vaccine requirements that puts vulnerable students at risk, the fraudulent voucher program that's defunding public education, and the chaos created by extremist groups like Moms for Liberty. Angie explains how a single Moms for Liberty board member can derail progress by turning meetings into culture war battlegrounds instead of focusing on student success. With her countywide race heating up, Angie discusses what's at stake - not just for Orange County but for school boards across Florida. She shares how voters can make a difference in the often-overlooked August 18th primary and why this race could send ripple effects statewide.This is a must-listen for anyone who cares about protecting public education, supporting teachers, and ensuring every child has access to a safe, well-funded school.Visit voteangiegallo.com to learn more, volunteer, or donate.

This week on Organizing to Victory, Lee Perry is joined by three of the most politically plugged-in young leaders in Orange County for a legislative session breakdown.

Featuring:

• Matt Grocholske (President, Florida Progressive Caucus)
• Ethan Temple (Sunrise Movement Orlando legislative team)
• Xiani Cox (Young Democrats of Orange County)

They unpack what’s moving through Tallahassee right now and how it’s impacting real life in Florida. Gun policy rollbacks after Parkland, attacks on protest and free speech, anti-immigrant bills, culture-war legislation, and the looming property tax fight that could destabilize local services.

They also zoom out to talk strategy: what races to watch in 2026, why special elections in Texas are making national waves, and what it’s going to take to build real people-powered power in Florida.