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.

Lee Perry sits down with Florida House District 43 candidate Samuel Vilchez Santiago for a conversation about power, participation, and what democracy means when it’s under threat. Samuel shares his journey from fleeing political persecution in Venezuela to becoming one of Central Florida’s most respected organizers and leaders. We talk about growing up in a country where voting is an act of protest, why voter turnout in the U.S. lags behind non-democratic nations, and how immigrants’ rights, public education, affordability, and environmental protection are all interconnected in Florida’s current political climate.

https://www.samuelforflorida.com

Orange County District 5 Commissioner Dr. Kelly Martinez Semrad joins us for a deep dive on the fights shaping Central Florida’s future, including uncontrolled sprawl and the escalating attacks on local home rule. We get into why “growth doesn’t pay for itself,” how impact-fee caps and infrastructure deficits create a development “Ponzi scheme,” and why Orange County’s tourism economy can be either a poverty generator or a tool to fund better wages, transit, and land conservation.

Lee Perry sits down with Hedder Pierre Joseph, statewide president of the Haitian Caucus and a candidate for Orange County Commission, District 6. Heather shares her immigration story and how it shaped her lifelong commitment to speaking up when she sees injustice. We talk immigrant rights, Haiti, corporate exploitation, and why she’s running to fight for housing, wages, and real community-centered leadership.Learn more at votehedder.com

Lee Perry interviews Natalie Branin, the new president of the Orange County Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida. She shares how teaching in under-resourced schools shaped her worldview, why green spaces and fresh food are about dignity and health, and what it really takes to support teachers and students in a system that’s stretched thin.

Lee Perry sits down with Jane Aman, a UCF professor and former Seminole County public school teacher running for Florida House District 37. With HD 37 decided by just 450 votes last cycle, Jane breaks down why this race is one of the most flippable seats in the entire state, and what’s at stake for Central Florida if it doesn’t flip.Jane and Lee dig into the real-world impacts of Florida’s education policies: the teacher shortage, low pay, failing infrastructure, and how culture-war laws disrupt classrooms and derail learning for hundreds of students at a time.Beyond education, Jane lays out the fight she wants to bring to Tallahassee on affordability, Medicaid expansion, healthcare access, and protecting local control from state preemption.Want to help flip HD 37? Volunteer or donate at janeforflorida.com. Follow Jane @JaneforFlorida (and find her on Twitch, too).