Orange County Democratic Party Chair Scott Randolph announced Friday that he will withdraw from the race to become chairman of the Florida Democratic Party after his surprise race and subsequent election as Orange County Tax Collector.
Randolph, a state legislator from Orlando who retired because of term limits, entered the race for Orange County Tax Collector at the last minute after its long-time incumbent, Earl K. Wood, died three weeks before the election at the age of 96.
Randolph’s withdrawal now leaves Annette Tadeo of Miami and Alan Clendenin of Hillsborough County left in the race for party chairman.
Here’s Randolph’s statement:
“My recent election to the post of Orange County Tax Collector requires my full commitment to delivering service in the most efficient, fair, and ethical manner for the taxpayers of Orange County.
“While I will continue to work to strengthen the Democratic Party in the heart of the I-4 corridor through my involvement and leadership with the local party, my dedication to the Tax Collector’s office is my foremost priority. I am proud of what we accomplished In Orange County in the 2012 elections and believe that volunteering my time here will keep Orange County solidly blue in the coming elections.”
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