June 2025 - Orlando Political Observer

Massie in Freefall: MAGA Voters Turn on Kentucky Congressman

🚨 Poll: Rep. Thomas Massie in Deep Trouble Ahead of 2026 GOP Primary

By Orlando Political Observer Staff

June 30, 2025

A new poll from Kaplan Strategies shows that Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie is facing an uphill battle as he seeks re-election in the 2026 Republican primary.

According to the survey of likely GOP primary voters in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, only 19% say they plan to vote to reelect Massie regardless of who challenges him. That number drops even lower — to 14% — if former President Donald Trump endorses a primary opponent.

Currently, Massie faces one declared challenger: registered nurse Nicole Lee Ethington, who leads him in a head-to-head matchup, 31% to 19%, with a majority of voters still undecided.

Massie’s favorability is also alarmingly low among the Republican base:

23% view him favorably
62% view him unfavorably
Meanwhile, Donald Trump enjoys 89% favorability among the same group.

The poll reveals that Massie’s record in Congress may be fueling the opposition:

72% say they are less likely to vote for him because of his opposition to Trump’s tax cuts and budget
69% disapprove of his vote against the “Take it Down Act,” which would criminalize deepfake revenge porn
58% are less likely to support him after learning he voted against Trump’s Israel policy

Beyond Massie’s standing, the poll also found that foreign policy and immigration are top concerns for GOP voters:

Only 6% support staying out of the Iran-Israel conflict
52% favor targeted action against Iran’s nuclear program
31% support active U.S. involvement to pursue regime change in Iran
87% believe illegal immigration poses a threat to the economy and national security

The survey was conducted June 23–24, 2025, with 368 likely Republican primary voters. The margin of error is ±5.1%. Full results are available at KaplanStrategies.com.

As MAGA support continues to dominate GOP primaries nationwide, Rep. Massie’s brand of libertarianism appears increasingly out of sync with the Republican base.Kentucky04 GOP with write up

Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez Arrested in Major Illegal Gambling and Corruption Case

In a stunning development shaking Central Florida’s law enforcement community, Osceola County Sheriff Marcos R. Lopez was arrested Thursday morning on charges of racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering. The arrest follows a multi-agency investigation into a sprawling illegal gambling operation that allegedly generated over $21.6 million in illicit proceeds across Lake and Osceola counties.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the charges, stating that Sheriff Lopez used his elected position to shield and expand the criminal enterprise in exchange for personal payments and campaign contributions. “Public servants should never exploit the public’s trust for personal gain,” Uthmeier emphasized. “The law must be applied equally, regardless of position, power, or branch of government” .

The investigation, led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), revealed that Sheriff Lopez played a central role in protecting the illegal gambling network from law enforcement scrutiny. FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass remarked, “This case revealed that Lopez violated the trust and integrity expected of him as the duly elected sheriff of Osceola County” .

Following the arrest, Governor Ron DeSantis suspended Lopez from his duties and appointed Christopher A. Blackmon, a 35-year law enforcement veteran and Central Region Chief for the Florida Highway Patrol, as interim sheriff.

The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities indicating that additional arrests and charges may follow. This case underscores the commitment of Florida’s law enforcement agencies to uphold integrity and accountability within their ranks.

Suspended Felon Commissioner Regina Hill Still Breaking the Law

Headline: Suspended Felon Commissioner Regina Hill Still Breaking the Law

By Orlando Politics Observer Staff

Why does Regina Hill continue to break the law?

Despite being indicted on multiple felony charges — including elderly exploitation and mortgage fraud — suspended Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill appears to be at it again, this time violating Florida election law.

On June 24, 2024, a special election was held in Orlando’s District 5 due to Hill’s criminal indictment. Voters elected Shan Rose as their new Commissioner. Rose, now the duly elected and serving incumbent, is currently running for re-election — and she has every legal right to say so. U

But in a troubling twist, campaign literature and videos connected to Hill have surfaced using the phrase: “Re-Elect Regina Hill .” While the endorsement may appear harmless at first glance, it’s a direct violation of Florida election law if Hill is behind it — and there’s reason to believe she is.

According to Florida Statute 106.143(6):

“No political advertisement of a candidate who is not an incumbent of the office for which the candidate is running shall use the word re-elect.”

The statute is clear. The term re-elect is legally reserved for current officeholders running to keep their seat. Regina Hill though a Suspended City Commisioner, is not an incumbent in the current race — and the use of “re-elect” on any materials associated with him violates Florida law.

The use of this language, especially by a figure already removed from office for unethical and possibly criminal conduct, raises serious questions. Why is Regina Hill, who has already brought disgrace to her office, continuing to disregard the law and mislead voters?

It’s worth remembering: Hill was suspended not over politics, but over facts and evidence. The charges against her are not minor — they involve exploitation of an elderly woman and improper use of that woman’s finances, allegedly for Hill’s personal benefit.

Now, while under indictment, Hill appears to be back in the political shadows — this time using campaign materials to mislead the public and improperly insert herself back into District 5 politics.

With voters already having spoken clearly in electing Shan Rose, the community must remain vigilant against further attempts to manipulate or violate the democratic process.

For more updates on Orlando elections, visit Orlando Politics Observer.

Why’s Is the Focus on Sandra Lewis and Judge Andrew Bain—When Regina Hill Is Under Indictment?

By Orlando Political Observer

In recent weeks, headlines and political whispers have zeroed in on judicial candidate Judge Andrew Bain and Sandra Lewis. But as their names trend in conversations and courtrooms alike, a deeper question remains: Why is the focus shifting to a political campaign when Regina Hill, an elected city commissioner, is under felony indictment for exploiting an elderly woman?

The case against Regina Hill is anything but speculative. According to public records, Hill is accused of illegally gaining access to the finances of an elderly constituent, Ms. Curtis, and subsequently using those funds for personal purchases and lifestyle expenses.

This isn’t just hearsay or a political smear — the case contains electronic receipts and documentation that allegedly show Hill becoming Ms. Curtis’ fiscal agent without legitimate justification, followed by a trail of self-enriching transactions. These include the alleged purchase of clothing, rent payments, and other personal expenses — none of which benefited the woman she was legally entrusted to help.

What’s perhaps more alarming is who is (and isn’t) prosecuting the case. The Orange County State Attorney’s Office has stepped aside, and the case is now in the hands of the Florida Office of Statewide Prosecution — an extraordinary move that suggests the state is treating this case with a higher degree of seriousness than your average local corruption scandal.

And yet, despite the mounting evidence, public attention is being deflected toward Judge Bain’s re-election and attorney Sandra Lewis’ judicial ambitions — as if a heated campaign can serve as a distraction from a very real and pressing abuse-of-power case.

Critics are asking: Why is a high-powered attorney focusing fire on a political race instead of addressing the substantive legal charges facing an elected official? Are these distractions intended to sway public focus ahead of deeper legal developments in Hill’s case?

While elections matter — and judicial candidates should be vetted — they should not become a smokescreen for more urgent issues, especially when those issues involve elder abuse, fiduciary misconduct, and the public’s trust in elected leaders.

The people of Orlando deserve transparency — not political sleight of hand. The indictment against Regina Hill is not about politics. It’s about justice for a vulnerable resident and accountability for those who serve in public office.

Stay tuned. We’ll be watching — and reporting.

— Orlando Political Observer