From Staff Reports
Alan Grayson is no stranger to Florida politics—or a fight. At 67, the former congressman has worn many labels: liberal firebrand, progressive crusader, and relentless dealmaker. But at his June 17th virtual town hall hosted by The Apopka Voice, Grayson offered something more personal: a candid, unapologetic, and occasionally humorous conversation with voters about why he wants to return to public office in a very different political climate.
Related: The return of Alan Grayson.
"I'm running because our democracy is broken," Grayson said. "The people we elect are failing us—and we need to get back to a government that delivers for the people who pay for it."
Grayson provided both substance and urgency to the discussion. He recounted legislative wins, touted billions in funding he brought back to Central Florida, and warned that without bold leadership, cities like Apopka risk being left behind.
In a spirited and wide-ranging discussion, Grayson made his case to voters in the Florida Senate District 15 special election. The 90-minute talk included 31 questions posed by Managing Editor Reggie Connell and the town hall viewers about issues impacting Apopka, District 15, insurance, education, infrastructure, and his time in Congress. It marked an opportunity for Apopka and surrounding communities to hear directly from the candidate.
Grayson, who represented the Central Florida area in Congress from 2009 to 2011 and again from 2013 to 2017, came out swinging against what he described as a "failure of democracy" in Florida, pointing to higher taxes, inadequate services, and a government dominated by lobbyists.
"The collapse of faith in our public servants to do the right thing and deliver what we deserve—that's the biggest challenge facing District 15," Grayson said. "We are being ripped off."
Apopka's Growing Pains
Throughout the evening, issues in Apopka became a recurring theme. Grayson was candid, to say the least.
"Apopka is getting screwed," he said bluntly. "You pay your taxes like everyone else, but you don't get the resources. The roads, the schools, the stormwater systems—they're not keeping up."
Grayson cited multiple examples of federal funding he secured for the region during his tenure in Congress, including road and transit projects, as well as education and healthcare facilities. But he was particularly passionate about public utilities—specifically, the lack of water and sewer access in parts of West Orange County.
"In 2025, it's ridiculous that people are still relying on wells and septic tanks. I live in a million-dollar home, and I'm literally pulling water from a ditch and dumping it in the front yard. That has to change."
"All of Apopka is being shortchanged," he said. "The money goes downtown [to Orlando]."
Grayson advocated for returning decision-making power to local governments, particularly in matters such as land use and green space.
"There has to be local rule," he said. "There's no way to bend Tallahassee to the will of Orlando."
With Border Lake and other parts of Apopka experiencing flooding, Grayson emphasized the importance of investing in stormwater infrastructure and public utilities.
"It's not acceptable that in 2025, half of West Orange County still relies on a ditch in the backyard for water," he said. "That has to change."
He said he would pursue earmarks and grants to bring more resources to areas like Apopka, promising to treat every public service need—whether roads, schools, or water—as essential.
Grayson was asked whether he would support the conversion of dormant golf course lands in Errol Estate and Rock Springs Ridge into public green space.
His answer: It depends.
"If it's a bailout for developers, I'm against it," he said. "But if it truly brings nature back into our lives—if kids can hear birds and frogs instead of just staring at screens—then it's something I support. We just have to get it right."
Grayson pointed to his 100% rating from national environmental groups and his efforts in Congress to block offshore drilling in Florida waters.
Combative but effective in Congress
Known for his fiery rhetoric, Grayson acknowledged his reputation but framed it as purposeful.
"Yes, I've been combative," he said. "But I'm also effective. I passed more laws than any other member of Congress during my time. I know how to get things done. When I was in Congress, I got 121 laws passed with Republican support—even when they controlled the House."
Grayson said he succeeded by focusing on nonpartisan issues and by appealing to lawmakers' better instincts.
"Transportation, education, clean water—these aren't red or blue issues," he said. "You just need serious people who want to get things done."
But Grayson also delivered a stark warning about the state of democracy in Florida. "Republicans have created something verging on dictatorship," he said. "A million Democrats have been dropped from the voter rolls. We have to vote and take back our power."
He framed the mass deregistration of Democratic voters as part of a broader effort to "systematically dismantle democracy" in Florida.
Education: More Bricks, Fewer Trailers
On education, Grayson was sharply critical of Florida's voucher system and state underfunding of public schools. He called the state's approach "a concerted effort to break public education" and warned against for-profit school operators profiting off taxpayers while delivering substandard results.
Grayson, a father of five children who all attended public school, was equally critical of Florida's education policies. He opposes the current voucher system and warned that public schools are being "deliberately starved" to benefit private, often for-profit institutions.
"This isn't just about money—it's about values," he said. "We're dismantling the one shared experience almost every American has: going to school together."
He recalled how, during his time in Congress, he helped secure hundreds of millions in additional school funding for Orange, Lake, and Osceola counties—money that went directly to building new classrooms and enhancing special education services.
"My kids started out learning in trailers," he said. "By the time they graduated, they were in brick schoolhouses. That wasn't magic—that was funding."
Affordable Housing and the Renters' Burden
Grayson spoke at length about affordable housing, one of his top priorities.
He expressed support for stronger tenant protections, called for extending the homestead exemption to renters, and highlighted his efforts to bring zero-down-payment mortgage programs to Central Florida.
"We shouldn't discriminate against renters," he said. "They deserve a pathway to homeownership."
Grayson offered several policy prescriptions specifically targeting renters and first-time buyers. He supports expanding down payment assistance, extending homestead exemptions, and boosting state-backed mortgage programs.
"Renters are getting the short end of the stick," he said. "Homeowners get subsidies and tax breaks. Renters get rising costs and no relief."
He also called out the state for helping only 13,000 homebuyers through its bond-financed mortgage program last year—an "insultingly small number," he said, for a state with over 21 million residents.
"We should be doing that for millions of people, not a few thousand. We're leaving money on the table."
Insurance Reform and Citizens' "Profit Problem"
Few issues generate more outrage in Florida than property insurance, and Grayson clearly sees it as an industry in dire need of reform.
"Citizens [Insurance], which is supposed to be a public alternative, made $800 in profit off my policy alone," he said. "That's not public service. That's profiteering."
Grayson proposed several changes, including eliminating the state's practice of insuring 225-year risks and creating a national hurricane insurance pool to share risk across all 50 states. He pointedly noted that many reinsurance companies benefiting from Florida's system are based in tax havens.
"I have no problem with capitalism," he said. "But when Warren Buffett's insurance companies are getting rich off Florida homeowners, something is wrong."
In his closing message, Grayson urged viewers to vote before Election Day on June 24th.
"This isn't about me—it's about you," he said. "Your vote is your power. Don't give it away and get nothing in return."
For more information on Grayson, visit his campaign website.
Election Day for the Florida Senate District 15 special election is Tuesday, June 24th. Early voting is currently underway.
Editor's Note: The Apopka Voice extended invitations to all candidates in the Senate District 15 special election to participate in a virtual town hall as one of their advertising options. Alan Grayson was the only candidate who accepted. This town hall and all advertisements featuring Alan Grayson, including articles about the town hall, were paid for by Alan Grayson, Democrat, Florida State Senate, District 15.
