ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — More than three months after the arrest of Orange County Commissioner Mildred Fernandez, Governor Charlie Cris appointed a replacement Friday. In a press conference Friday afternoon, Crist picked Luigi Damiani to take over the District 3 commission seat.
PRESS CONFERENCE: Crist Appoints Damiani
Damiani has no party affiliation, just like Governor Crist. Damiani ran against Fernandez in 2004 and lost. He said he was inspired to put his application in for the job because Crist has no party affiliation.
Former County Commissioner Mildred Fernandez said it best when she was arrested, "This is politics."
Gov. Crist appointed one of his own to replace the suspended commissioner.
Damiani ran against the former commissioner, who is accused of taking bribes, in 2004. Damiani came in second and ran in a non-partisan race. Crist was asked if Damiani's non-party affiliation helped get him the job.
"It didn't dissuade me. I was inspired he had the courage and pleased he will serve the people well," Crist said.
Damiani has been registered as no-party affiliation since 1989. He was the chief aide to former County Commissioner Mary Johnson for eight years in District 3. He is currently the vice president of marketing for Nodarse and Associates, an engineering firm.
Even though Damiani is not a Hispanic, he believes he will be able to address the needs of the constituents in District 3.
"I did work in District 3 for eight years and know issues of the Hispanic community," Damiani said.
Damiani beat out his former boss and former County Commissioner Mary Johnson. She is a Democrat, Hispanic and held the seat in the past for three terms. When asked why Crist didn't pick Johnson or any of the other candidates, he would only say Damiani was the best choice.
"I was very impressed by his energy, earnestness," Crist said.
WFTV talked to Mary Johnson. She said she was happy for Damiani and said he would do a good job.
Damiani's term began on Friday and he will serve out Commissioner Fernandez's term, which ends in 2012.
If Fernandez is convicted of a felony, she'll lose her commission seat for good. In April, Fernandez was arrested on 16 felony charges of racketeering, grand theft, bribery and accepting illegal campaign contributions. Her attorney told WFTV her case won't go to trial until at least December.