By Kat Leslie
In a year teeming with political activity, Mayor Daniel Harter Jr. has once again demonstrated a remarkable ability to underperform. As a committee member, a basic requirement is to collect a percentage of signatures based on the number of registered Republicans within your district, with a goal of 20.
Tasked with collecting signatures for four separate petitions—including his own re-election bid to the Warwick Republican Committee—Harter managed to gather only nine of the required seventeen signatures, with nearly 90% coming from just four households. This shortfall not only jeopardizes his position on the committee but also underscores a troubling pattern of negligence that has marked his tenure.
When confronted with the consequences of his inaction, Harter responded in typical fashion: by challenging the process and appealing at the Orange County Board of Elections review. As has become customary, his move was unsuccessful.
Harter didn’t fare much better with his other petitions. He personally witnessed and filed one that bore a single, solo, — yes, just one — signature.
In light of this latest failure, many residents are asking the same question: What went wrong? Once a figure with ambitions for higher office, Harter’s name has become synonymous with controversy, court battles, and persistent concerns about ethics, transparency, and mounting municipal debt.
To gain further insight into this pattern of dysfunction, The Dispatch sat down with Aaron Ubides—a community advocate who has consistently held Harter accountable—to discuss the mayor’s record and the future of political leadership in the Village of Florida.
Interview with Aaron Ubides
Dispatch: Many locals view you as a counterbalance to Mayor Harter’s approach to governance. What are your thoughts on his recent failure to collect sufficient signatures for re-election to the Republican Committee?
Ubides: It’s indicative of the effort—or lack thereof—that Mayor Harter puts into his responsibilities. Collecting sixteen signatures is a basic requirement. For contrast, in my current campaign for the County Legislature, I gathered 400 signatures of District 2 residents alone. This isn’t about social media popularity; it’s about engaging with the community and doing the work.
Dispatch: How do you interpret Harter’s inability to meet such a fundamental requirement?
Ubides: It reflects a broader pattern of neglect. If someone can’t fulfill the basic duties of their position, it raises serious questions about their commitment to public service. Positions of governance should be held by individuals who are dedicated, accountable, and responsible.
Dispatch: Do you believe this pattern extends beyond the Republican Committee to his role as mayor?
Ubides: Absolutely. The residents of Florida deserve better representation—whether it’s at the county legislature, the Republican Committee, or the mayor’s office. Consistent underperformance erodes public trust and hampers community progress.
Dispatch: Many in Florida consider Harter’s years in office a “legacy” of a failed man: failed husband, failed friend, failed mayor, failed political candidate, and most recently, failed Committee member. What do you think led to such a downward spiral?
Ubides: I’m not big on labels, and I won’t comment on Harter’s personal life or what he does outside the scope of his responsibilities as mayor. What matters to me—and what should matter to voters—is how his decisions in office affect our community.
Dispatch: Some Village residents have been more blunt, suggesting that the decision to use taxpayer funds was made by Village Board Members Harter and Werner “in the bedroom instead of the boardroom.”
Ubides: When bad decisions are made—and Village residents are forced to foot the bill defending Harter’s illegal actions, which a judge described as “capricious and without merit”—it naturally raises concerns about the motivations behind those decisions. The best way to avoid any appearance of impropriety is to keep governance transparent and rooted in the public interest, not personal relationships.
Dispatch: Since assuming office in 2019, Mayor Harter has presided over a dramatic increase in the Village of Florida’s debt. The Dispatch obtained financial records showing a sharp spike in the Village’s debt ratio over the past decade. Critics see this as a sign of poor planning and failed oversight. What’s your view as a resident and taxpayer?
Ubides: As this graph shows, what began as a manageable fiscal position has grown into a worrisome burden on local taxpayers. But I also believe in fairness—we need to take a closer look at where the money went and what drove the increase before passing full judgment.
Dispatch: Dan Harter once had ambitious political goals, including a run for the very seat you’re now seeking—representing District 2 in the Orange County Legislature. What sets your approach apart?
Ubides: I’m not here to judge anyone’s ambitions, but I believe leadership means backing up your words with action. I’m not interested in being a TV coach or a backseat driver. I’m stepping up because Florida—and District 2—deserves someone who’s ready to lead with transparency, responsibility, and accountability at every level of government. Our community deserves more than promises. It deserves real representation. I’m running because I believe in showing up, doing the work, and making sure the people of Florida and all of District 2 have a voice they can count on.
Dispatch: What message do you have for the community as we approach the upcoming primary elections?
Ubides: Elections have consequences. It’s imperative that residents participate in the process to ensure their voices are heard and their interests represented. The upcoming primary is an opportunity to advocate for effective and accountable leadership.
MAKE SURE TO COME OUT AND VOTE!
The primary elections are scheduled for June 24, 2025. Polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Dispatch:Thank you, Mr. Ubides, for taking the time to share your thoughts and perspective with us. Your insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the Village of Florida were both thoughtful and timely. We wish you the best of luck in the upcoming Republican primary and look forward to following your continued engagement in public service.
As Primary Election Day approaches, Aaron Ubides says he’s focused not on political theater, but on practical solutions and public service. Whether voters agree remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: the race for District 2 is on, and leadership is on the ballot. As the community weighs the importance of capable representation, one message rings true: meaningful, lasting change begins with active participation at the polls.
