With the election only days away, the race for Orlando mayor is pitting what many in the community consider to be an LGBT-affirming incumbent mayor against an openly LGBT candidate. Michael Cantone, who identifies as bisexual, has made waves recently with sharp criticism of Mayor Buddy Dyer, and a clash with openly gay Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan.
In a letter to Watermark, Sheehan criticized Cantone for his advocacy at Come Out With Pride in November.
“Mr. Cantone seems more interested in getting attention for his campaign than actually helping the gay community,” Sheehan wrote. “That is his prerogative. But it is mine to defend our allies and those in the GLBTQ and friendly community who have been working collectively and cooperatively to further the cause of equality.”
During Mayor Buddy Dyer's nine year tenure, Orlando implemented domestic partner benefits for city employees and created a domestic partner registry. Dyer was also the first sitting mayor to participate in Come Out with Pride.
Cantone, however, considers Dyer's support of the Orlando LGBT community a “fallacy.”
“Every four years Buddy Dyer becomes a friend to the gay community,” said Cantone. “He definitely times it right to deliver a campaign promise. The Domestic Partnership Registry would have been landmark five years ago. That would have been a time to fight for the LGBT community”¦ when there was no voice.”
Cantone describes himself as a “progressive stance with pragmatic solutions,” who hopes to challenge what he calls “old school” politics in Orlando. Just 28, he would be one of the youngest mayors of a major city in the nation. Cantone sees that as a benefit.
“We need a generational change to shake up the status quo,” he said.
Some of Cantone's key campaign issues include curbing spending on development projects like the Medical City in Lake Nona, the proposed Creative Village (“a Creative Castle”) on the site of the recently demolished O-rena, and the new Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center. He would refocus city spending on affordable housing options and vocational training centers in each city district.
Born in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., to schoolteacher parents, Cantone grew up mostly in Virginia. He studied Political Science and International Studies at St. Louis University. Over the past decade he has worked as a progressive lobbyist, political consultant and campaign manager with diverse groups like the Missouri Progressive Vote Coalition, the United States Public Interest Research Group and the Democratic Party of Georgia. He most recently served as the Political Director for Organize Now, a progressive community-based organization committed to increasing civic participation in under-served and disenfranchised communities.
“We see who benefits in this city and who does not,” Cantone said, speaking of the city's current leadership. “It's the people who have connections with the city leadership”the big developers, the big corporations and most certainly the Chamber of Commerce”not the average worker or the homeowner struggling to pay their mortgage.”
Cantone expressed concern about the city funneling money into additional retail and residential projects. “Twenty percent of downtown commercial space is vacant and one-in-five homes are in foreclosure or financial distress,” he observed.
If elected mayor, Cantone says he would also bridge what he perceives to be a gap between the county and city governments. He referred to the current working relationship between Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and Mayor Dyer as “toxic at best.”
“From the start, you have seen friction [between them] on many financing issues,” Cantone said. “Mayor Dyer's duties stop where the city boundaries end. Mayor Jacobs represents a shift from the good ol' boys network in the county.”
Cantone also believes Dyer”who he describes as a “Chambercrat””nurtures greater political ambitions.
“I think Mayor Jacobs is focused on local issues and local solutions,” he said. “Unlike Mayor Dyer, she doesn't have one foot out the door.”
Cantone thinks people will respond to his candidacy.
“I offer a fresh start that puts the people first and reflects their priorities, not just those of connected big business,” he said.
Asked about his chances, Cantone said, “I think anything is possible on April 3. It is going to be determined by who turns out. But I know our message is resonating with people. I'm definitely optimistic.”
City of Orlando elections take place on Tuesday, April 3. In addition to Dyear and Cantone, candidates for mayor include sitting District 1 City Commissioner Phil Diamond and businessman and entrepreneur Ken Mulvaney.
