It's Miller Time Again in Orange County

   No, Orange County isn't giving away free Miller Lite, but everyone is lifting a glass to Mike Miller's recent decision to run for county commissioner in district 5. One of the most liberal members of the county commission, Emily Bonilla's tenure in office underproduced and overpromised. It's no surprise that Democrat-dominated Orange county elects left-leaning candidates. However, even the average Orange County Democrat has begun to question how far is too far. No stranger to public service, former Republican State Representative Mike Miller most recently ran for Congress in FL-07 in a bid to replace Representative Stephanie Murphy. Though he came up short in that race, his down to Earth style and common sense attitude continues to make him appealing to voters of many backgrounds.

   Though a staunch conservative, Miller always sought to reach across the isle during his time in Tallahassee, understanding the path to achieving what's best for constituents sometimes means pragmatic solutions. The race opens a window of opportunity to bring back a sense of moderation to a seat plagued by demagoguery and a far-left incumbent, albeit the candidates do not run on a partisan platform. Also in the race is fellow Republican Anjali Vaya, endorsed by the Orlando Indian American Chamber of Commerce. A qualified businesswoman from Winter Park, Vaya has raised a significant amount of cash for her bid to unseat Democrat Emily Bonilla. Previously held by Ted Edwards, Bonilla's upset victory shocked many Republicans in the area. District 5 includes the upscale suburbs of Maitland and Winter Park, where many residents remain concerned at Bonilla's association with far-left labor organizations and her anti-development tilt. Miller will undoubtedly be a welcome change for many residents, a return to normalcy for the district. Whoever ultimately wins, we wish them the best in their journey to make Central Florida the best place to live.