Smith faces GOP foe in re-election bid
ORLANDO, Fla. (NSF) - Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, has drawn a Republican challenger as he runs this year for a second term in the Florida House.
Orlando Republican Ben Griffin opened a campaign account Thursday to run in Orange County’s House District 49, according to the state Division of Elections website. Griffin is the first opponent who has emerged to compete with Smith, who was first elected in 2016.
Formal qualifying for legislative races will be held June 18 to June 22. Smith had raised $57,933 for his re-election bid as of May 31 and had about $37,000 in cash on hand, a finance report shows. He raised $10,525 in May.