Shan Rose beats Regina Hill to keep her Orlando City Council seat in ugly race
**Interim Orlando City Commissioner Shan Rose Wins Re-Election in Controversial Race**
Interim Orlando City Commissioner Shan Rose secured re-election in Tuesday’s election, thwarting Regina Hill’s attempt at a political comeback following Hill’s suspension from office amid a felony indictment. According to unofficial election results, Rose garnered 52% of the vote, while Hill and Lawanna Gelzer received nearly 33% and 15%, respectively.
The District 5 race attracted significant attention due to Hill’s arrest and pending trial. Hill, who served as the District 5 Commissioner, was suspended last year by Governor Ron DeSantis after being arrested on charges of elderly exploitation and fraud. The arrest came amid an ongoing investigation by the *Orlando Sentinel* into Hill’s relationship with a woman in her late 90s. Hill is accused of taking advantage of the elderly woman after obtaining power of attorney and using that authority to go on a shopping spree. Hill has consistently maintained her innocence.
Following Hill’s suspension, Rose won a special election last year to complete the remainder of Hill’s term. The campaign turned acrimonious, with Hill and Rose exchanging verbal attacks. Hill accused Rose of impropriety after Rose notarized a registered sex offender’s request to vacate a conviction involving a preteen girl, as reported by the *Orlando Sentinel*. Rose defended her actions, stating she was merely fulfilling her duties as a notary public.
The contentious nature of the race led the *Orlando Sentinel* editorial board to refrain from endorsing any of the three candidates. In a Monday editorial, the board described the race as “a mess” and concluded that none of the candidates convincingly demonstrated why they would be the best choice for the position.
The District 5 City Commissioner serves a four-year term with an annual salary of $79,343. This seat was one of three contested races poised to reshape Orlando’s city government.
Key issues facing the Orlando City Council include funding road improvement projects in busy corridors, modernizing Leu Gardens with the addition of a children’s garden, and constructing the Pulse Memorial. District 5 encompasses downtown Orlando and several neighborhoods, including Parramore.
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/763847-shan-rose-beats-regina-hill-to-keep-her-orlando-city-council-seat-in-ugly-race/
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