1980 Orlando mayoral election|
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The 1980 Orlando mayoral election took place on September 9, 1980. Incumbent Mayor Carl T. Langford declined to seek re-election to a fourth term.[1] Three candidates ran to succeed him: attorney Bill Frederick, City Commissioner Shelton Adams, and city planner Dale Smith.
Adams and Frederick emerged as the frontrunners,[2] but one month prior to the election, the race was upended when the IRS opened a criminal investigation into Adams's finances.[3] Adams denied any wrongdoing, and alleged that the probe was politically motivated.[4] The Sentinel Star endorsed Frederick, praising him as "hav[ing] the best chance to unite this community behind a city government that works for all its citizens," and criticizing Adams's "burning ambition for the mayor's office."[5]
Frederick ultimately won the election in a landslide, receiving 68 percent of the vote to Adams's 23 percent and Smith's 8 percent.[6] Shortly after the election, the IRS dropped its investigation into Adams's finances, which he alleged was "brought forward by someone" associated with Frederick.[7]
General election
Candidates
Declined
Results
References
- ^ a b Rodeheffer, Jon (April 21, 1979). "Langford to sit out 4th term". Sentinel Star. Orlando, Florida. p. 1-A. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
- ^ Ziffer, Randy (July 10, 1980). "Big bucks back candidates". Sentinel Star. Orlando, Florida. p. 1-C. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
- ^ Ziffer, Randy (August 9, 1980). "Shelton Adams target of IRS inquiry". Sentinel Star. Orlando, Florida. p. 1-A. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
- ^ Lipman, Larry (August 28, 1980). "Mayor candidate Adams links IRS probe to political foes". Sentinel Star. Orlando, Florida. p. 5-C. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
- ^ "Bill Frederick can unify city". Sentinel Star. Orlando, Florida. September 4, 1980. p. 22-A. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
- ^ Lipman, Larry (September 10, 1980). "Frederick elected mayor". Sentinel Star. Orlando, Florida. p. 1-A. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
- ^ Ziffer, Randy (September 30, 1980). "IRS drops criminal tax probe of Adams". Sentinel Star. Orlando, Florida. p. 1-A. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
- ^ Rodeheffer, Jon (June 14, 1979). "Frederick in race for mayor". Sentinel Star. Orlando, Florida. p. 1-A. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
- ^ Kavesh, Laura (November 16, 1979). "Adams' account 'formalizes' intention to seek mayor's job". Sentinel Star. Orlando, Florida. p. 1-C. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
- ^ "Campaign kick-offs". Sentinel Star. Orlando, Florida. February 1, 1980. p. 1-C. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
- ^ "Election Results 1980-1988" (PDF). Orlando City Clerk. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 25, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
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