Culberson endorses Mueller over Jones for Winter Garden District 2 Commission race

Danny "DJ" Culberson has announced his endorsement of incumbent Ron Mueller over Iliana Ramos Jones in the Winter Garden District 2 Commission race.

Culberson took to social media to announce the news, citing "negative, hate-filled politics" behind his reasoning.

"I know this endorsement will ruffle some feathers, but I could not live with myself if I failed to speak my truth," he wrote on his Facebook page. "I have immense respect for both candidates still in the District 2 race. However, with all of the negative, hate-filled politics, I can only support one candidate in good faith. Leadership is a privilege, and how we conduct ourselves in the name of our community matters!"

The message was posted accompanying a two minute video in which Culberson dives deeper into his decision. 

Culberson said following his elimination from the race in the March 19 election, both candidates reached out to him asking for his endorsement in the runoff election April 16.

Although Culberson said he originally was inclined to support Jones, after reflection and seeking guidance from parents in the community he was left "very troubled."

"Iliana and those around her have engaged in hate-provoking politics at every opportunity, and, regardless of their intentions, these actions are everything I stand against," he said in the video. "The attacks on Ron include numerous mailers, a website, repeated text messages and hijacking official City Commission meetings to make video attacks. These videos are particularly disturbing, because they violate what those meetings are supposed to be about, and they appear to have been done with coordination from Iliana's supporters on the City Commission. This should be a gigantic red flag to all of us. All these efforts were specifically designed and executed to personally embarrass, discredit and villainize Ron Mueller. My concern is that if someone is willing to ruin someone else in order to win an election, what else are they capable of?"

Watch Culberson's full endorsement video here.

"I continue to be grateful for the support of Mayor John Rees and the entire commission," Jones said in a prepared statement. "When the mayor first began his public service, the city was in a much different place. Through his years of leadership and others who have been serving on the commission, it is now the gem of West Orange County and is why so many have moved here in recent years. I am looking forward to serving alongside the mayor and commissioners to continue what they have started, and I am humbled they are welcoming me."

Mueller said he is honored to receive Culberson's endorsement.

"It means the world to me," Mueller said in a video statement. "By working together, we can be a more united community and make Winter Garden a better place for everyone."

Read more about Jones and Mueller here.