Democrats seek to oust Paula Stark as her campaign finance troubles persist

Democrat Jorge Figueroa, the President of the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, is the latest challenger for Republican Rep. Paula Stark as she deals with lingering questions about her campaign finances.

The Friends of Paula political committee is under the microscope for not paying more than $16,000 in fines stemming from its late campaign finance reports in 2023. Last month, the PC received a final notice from the Florida Department of State warning of its intent to shut the PC down and cancel its registration.

Instead of paying the fine, Friends of Paula — which is $10,000 in the red — spent $953 at a St. Cloud auto repair shop this year and purchased meals at several restaurants that were all listed under travel expenses. The PC also said it accidentally spent $90 for “Prescriptions Unlimited” on the wrong credit card in February and said the expense would be reimbursed.

Stark and her boyfriend, Joel Davis, who runs the PC, did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. The Florida Department of State is closed for the holiday and was not able immediately to verify additional information about the PC’s status or when it will be shut down.

Now, Stark is facing two Democratic challengers: Figueroa and Anthony Nieves, who previously lost against Stark in 2024. Nieves is a former state financial crimes investigator and city fraud investigator, according to his campaign website.

In announcing his bid this month, Figueroa said he is focusing his campaign on Floridians’ affordability challenges, fixing property insurance and pushing economic opportunities for working families.

“I know what it’s like to struggle to make ends meet and to work hard for a second chance,” the Kissimmee resident said in a statement. “That’s why I’m running — to make Florida more affordable for working families and small business owners who are fighting to get ahead.”

Democrats have long targeted House District 47 as a potential flip since it is a traditionally blue district covering St. Cloud, east Kissimmee and a small portion of Orange County. 

Stark, a St. Cloud Republican, rode a red wave to get elected in 2022 in a victory that surprised some political circles.

She was narrowly re-elected in 2024 with only 50.86% of the vote.

By then, the former Osceola News Gazette publisher was caught up in media headlines for her late campaign finance reports and questionable campaign expenses.

In her latest bid for re-election, Stark missed the April 10 campaign finance deadline this year and was fined $5.07 in May, according to records.

Figueroa declined to comment on the latest problems for Stark and her PC.

His campaign touted his work running the Chamber.

“Under his leadership, the Chamber grew significantly in size and influence, helping hundreds of small and minority-owned businesses across Central Florida access capital, secure contracts, and recover from the pandemic,” his campaign’s press release said.

“Figueroa spearheaded partnerships with local governments, chambers, and workforce agencies to connect business owners with critical resources, mentorship programs, and technical assistance.”

In 2024, the Puerto Rican Chamber president joined other Democrats to condemn Donald Trump for a rally where a speaker called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage.”

“I was in shock because I didn’t think it was a platform to make a joke that really wasn’t a joke,” he told the Orlando Sentinel at the time. “I have already heard from Republican members who have switched parties because of these comments.”

Figueroa’s personal story is growing up in public housing projects in Puerto Rico and eventually moving to Florida in 2013. He lifted himself out of poverty from his parents’ sacrifices and his pursuit of education, his campaign said.

Figueroa has degrees in finance and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and an MBA in Global Management from the University of Phoenix, according to his campaign.

“My Christian faith teaches me to love thy neighbor, to restore what’s broken, and to make room for second chances,” Figueroa said. “This campaign isn’t about left or right — it’s about doing what’s right for our people.”