Observer to host District 1 candidate debate

The Observer Media Group will present the 2024 Orange County District 1 Candidate Debate from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, on Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine’s new campus in Horizon West, 7011 Kiran Patel Drive, Winter Garden.

Orlando Health is the presenting sponsor, and OCOM is the host sponsor.

Although tickets have sold out, the entire debate will be live-streamed, courtesy of Chris Chan Media. Click here to view the live-stream.

The debate will feature incumbent Nicole Wilson and challenger Austin Arthur, the candidates who will appear on your primary ballot Aug. 20. 

Wilson was elected to the seat in 2020 after defeating incumbent Betsy VanderLey. A Gotha resident, Wilson is an attorney who has worked with individuals and non-profit environmental organizations to help them navigate local, state and federal laws. She is a member of the Florida Bar Environmental and Land Use Section, Florida Bar Animal Law Section, The American Bar Association State and Local Government Law Group, and the Orange County Bar Association. She also has served on several Orange County Public Schools PTA, PTO and SAC boards.

Arthur is a local entrepreneur, community advocate and a former firefighter/paramedic. With his brother, he founded Gymnastics USA in Winter Garden and also runs Stars and Stripes Marketing Services. The Winter Garden resident serves on several local boards, including the Winter Garden Architectural Review and Historic Preservation Board, West Orange Habitat for Humanity, Challenge 22 to End Veteran Suicide, Central Florida YMCA, West Orange Scholarship Foundation, Eight Waves Children and Family Services, and Explore and Soar Children’s Museum.

Both candidates will have three minutes for introductory statements. Then, in alternating fashion, they will field a series of questions. Each candidate will be allotted two minutes for answers, followed by a one-minute rebuttal from the opposing candidate. At the conclusion of the question-and-answer portion of the debate, each will be given three minutes for closing statements.

Note-taking will be allowed; however, props will not.

For those who secured tickets: No disruptions will be permitted. This includes — but is not limited to — yelling, shouting, interrupting, threats or threatening gestures, and signs or props of any kind. Anyone causing a disruption will be removed so the debate can continue unimpeded. 

In-person audience members will be given a ticket upon entry, which they can use at the end to vote for their candidate of choice as they leave. 

Our moderator will be Sports Editor Sam Albuquerque; Editor and Publisher Michael Eng will serve as timekeeper.