By Kat Leslie
Aaron Ubides delivered a commanding victory in yesterday’s Republican primary. As of the close of polls yesterday and based on preliminary—but not yet official—results, Aaron Ubides edged out his opponent Amir Sadaghiani, and has secured his place on the November ballot with a narrow margin, defeating Sadaghiani by a mere 7 votes. However narrow the margin, it underscores the strong support Ubides has built across Florida and Goshen and further solidifies his status as the Republican frontrunner heading into the general election.
Both Warwick Town Supervisor and The Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus endorsed Ubides as a Republican candidate for Orange County Legislator for District 2 this fall.
The final vote—and voter turnout—was undoubtedly impacted by the triple-digit heat, with temperatures soaring above 100 degrees and the unexpected closure of the polling site at St. Ignatius Center in Florida due to a non-functional air conditioning system. Yet despite these setbacks, the number of votes cast for Ubides exceeded those Mayor Daniel Harter Jr. received during his last mayoral victory by threefolds—clear evidence that support for Ubides is both broad and growing.
With his latest success, Ubides not only solidifies his place on the ballot for Orange County Legislature District 2, but also further distances himself from the shadow of embattled Florida Mayor Daniel Harter Jr.—a figure whose political relevance appears to be diminishing by the week.
Ubides’ triumph in the District 2 Republican primary wasn’t just a win—it was a referendum on the political future of the Village of Florida. From courtrooms to committee rooms, and now at the ballot box, Ubides has systematically outperformed the embattled Mayor of Florida, NY who threw his name in this race as well.
Ubides first bested Harter in court, when a judge ruled against the Mayor’s attempts to overreach his authority, calling his actions “capricious and without merit.” He then defeated Harter again in the court of public opinion—earning endorsements from multiple Republican municipal committees, including both Chester and Warwick, along with the influential support of current District 2 Legislator Jim O’Donnell and a growing list of Orange County legislators. This level of endorsement is virtually unprecedented for a first-time candidate in a legislative primary.
Mayor Harter, meanwhile, appears more committed to setting records of another kind. His campaign has become a cautionary tale of political freefall. Daniel Harter Jr. became, effectively, the first “unendorsed” Republican candidate in recent memory of Warwick. His efforts to remain relevant in the party structure faltered further when he submitted a witnessed petition with just one signature — and he now will face the likely loss of his seat on the Republican Committee this fall.
What Ubides built with outreach, energy, and credibility, Harter buried under a growing heap of blunders, courtroom losses, and isolation from his own party.
“Aaron is out there knocking on doors. Dan is out there knocking himself out,” said one local committee member, who asked to remain anonymous.
The contrast between the two men has never been clearer. While Harter clings to what remains of a fractured political base, Ubides has emerged as the face of a new generation of leadership—one that doesn’t ride on coattails of a family name, settle for photo ops and failed policies.
And why does Dan Harter and all this matter to, and beyond this primary?
Because Ubides has made it known: he intends to challenge Harter for the mayoralty of Florida in the upcoming 2027 election. And if he makes good on that promise, and based on the overwhelming support he received in this primary, that race may be over before it begins. As Harter continues to spiral—collecting lawsuits, alienating allies, and governing from behind closed doors—Ubides is building something stronger: a coalition, a community, and a credible path forward.
If last night’s results are any sign, Florida voters are done with Daniel Harter. They’re ready for change. And Aaron Ubides is ready to deliver it.
