Note from Chairwoman

Dear Community Members,

In the late 90s, the West Orange community realized the need for a political voice for West Orange County. This led to the formation of the West Orange Political Alliance (W.O.P.A.), a non-profit, non-partisan organization for West Orange County. This organization focuses on issues, and primarily seeking out and endorsing candidates in county, school board and state offices that will further the business interests of West Orange County.

W.O.P.A. is recognized and approved by the Florida Division of Elections as a Political Committee. It originated as a Committee of Continuous Existence since 1997 and was reformed in 2013 as a Political Committee (PC/PAC) to comply with legislative changes and the Division of Elections. W.O.P.A., governed by a board of up to 20 individuals, represents businesses and the West Orange Chamber. The Chairman-elect and President of the WOCC serve as ex-officio members of the board and the Chamber Board of Directors appoints an additional four board members each year.

Since its formation, W.O.P.A. has endorsed, supported and assisted in the election of key proponents of business and West Orange County. Candidates seek us out and understand the value of our endorsements for the furtherance of their campaign efforts. We are proud of our track record which includes the election of notable West Orange County residents; Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, Sheriff John Mina, County Commissioners Christine Moore, Mayra Uribe, Mike Scott, Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles, OCPS Board Members Pam Gould and Melissa Byrd, OCPS Chairman Teresa Jacobs, and Representative Lavon Bracy Davis.

In addition to supporting qualified and competent candidates, W.O.P.A. has taken on issues that have had the potential of creating economic disadvantages to our community. As you may recall, we supported changes in the Orange County Charter that allow for non-partisan elections, term limits, and a more transparent initiative petition process.

We invite you to make a voluntary contribution to W.O.P.A. With this contribution, W.O.P.A. will continue our work, while you are working on your business, to protect your business interests. Together, speaking with one voice on behalf of West Orange County, we will continue to be recognized as an organization that protects and promotes our best interests.

Sincerely,

Michelle Strenth, Chairwoman

Board of Directors

Michelle Strenth

Chairwoman

Jeff Jonasen

Vice Chairman

Leticia Adams

Secretary

Kurt Ardaman

Nick Asma

Chris Bailey

Melanie Becker

Jose A. Cantero

Joe Cobb

Duke Energy

Camille Evans

Kim Dawson

Iliana Jones

Tim Keating

John Miklos

Jeff Milhausen

Sarah Nemes

Dan Pollock

Charles Roper

Sharon Smoley

Craig Swygert

Purpose

The purposes of this Corporation shall be as follows:

• To identify and monitor regulatory and legislative activity at the state and local levels which affect the economy and culture of West Orange County, Florida, and to seek to influence these activities in such ways as to bring benefit to the West Orange County community.
• To unite the West Orange County community to combine their efforts to promote the growth and development of the community.
• To support candidates for county and state offices (including school board and judicial candidates). The Corporation may not participate in the election of candidates for federal or municipal offices.
• To encourage well-qualified individuals who utilize principles of responsible free enterprise to meet the needs for sound growth and development in the West Orange County community.
• To stimulate a more active and effective role of the citizenry in government affairs.
• To raise funds and provide support to candidates, without regard to party affiliations.
• To participate in support of or opposition to local or statewide issues.
• To develop an intelligent, aggressive and serviceable organization to represent and support the business, civic, residential and community interests of West Orange County, Florida.
• To provide an opportunity to individuals for political expression and recognition, to train them as political workers and leaders, and provide a practical means by which they may contribute to the development and betterment of West Orange County businesses, residents and the community.
• To take all actions which are extensions of any of the foregoing purposes.

Endorsements

The West Orange Political Alliance, Inc. (WOPA) is a non-partisan political committee, the political action arm of the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, formed to represent the best interests of West Orange County.

2022 Election Winners

Congratulation to all the winners of the 2022 Elections, on behalf of the West Orange Political Alliance (WOPA):

Orange County

Jerry Demings – Mayor

Christine Moore – District 2

Mike Scott – District 6

Andrew Asher Bain – County Court Judge, Group 2

Elizabeth Starr – County Court Judge, Group 8

Amanda Sampaio Bova – County Court Judge, Group 9

Elizabeth Gibson – County Court Judge, Group 17

Orange County Public School Board

OCPS Board Chair – Teresa Jacobs

Angie Gallo – District 1

Maria Salamanca – District 2

Florida Ninth Judicial Circuit Court

John Beamer – Group 14

Vincent Chiu – Group 44

Florida House of Representatives

Lavon Bracy Davis (D) – District 40

OCPS AD VALOREM MILLAGE RENEWAL

Paid Political Advertisement by the West Orange Political Alliance, Inc. 12184 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden, FL 34787 For information, call 407-656-1304.

Click here to see the results from the WOCC’s Hob Nob + Straw Poll 2022

Contribute

We invite you to make a voluntary contribution to WOPA and may do so by downloading the application below and mailing it to our address along with a $25 check:

WOPA

12184 West Colonial Drive

Winter Garden, FL 34787

Become a part of this political voice for West Orange.

To contact WOPA, please send an email to westorangepoliticalalliance@gmail.com

Download a copy of the 2020 WOPA Application here

Follow the new WOPA Facebook page for the latest news on candidate endorsements and supported causes!

The West Orange Political Alliance, Inc. is a non-profit, non-partisan organization formed to provide an active political voice in the interests of West Orange County. WOPA is governed by a set of by-laws approved by Florida’s Division of Elections.