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“He’s not part of the political machine. He’s one of us.”

That statement by Celebration businessman Frank Scurlock, 46, seems to sum up the feelings of many of those who support Bruce O’Donoghue’s candidacy for Florida’s eighth US Congressional district.  

One of seven Republicans vying for the opportunity to oust incumbent Democrat Alan Grayson,
O’Donoghue began working as a janitor for his parents’ traffic engineering business, which he now heads. Like many small business owners, Bruce’s parents, began modestly, founding Control Specialists Company in the “Florida room” of their Orlando home.

And it’s that business background that attracted not only Scurlock and his wife Patricia but Celebration businessman Cliff Akey, 60, as well.

“He is familiar with the day-to-day operations of a business, making key decisions without large staff to help him,” says Akey.

He went on to say, “Bruce talked with me about specific plans he has for tax reform and health reform that I believe are important. I think he will represent us well.”

Echoing the sentiments of Scurlock and Akey is another Celebration resident, John Gebhardt, 63, who had never declared himself as a member of any political party before moving to Florida from New York.

“I spent a lifetime as an independent and I recently changed my affiliation to the Republican party for one specific purpose. I wanted to vote for Bruce in the primary.”

Gebhardt added, “I believe Bruce is a qualified candidate who is concerned about representing the people and not one who is off on his own ego trip. He’s a phenomenal candidate who is a family man as well as a successful businessman.”

As one might expect, O’Donoghue has been a longtime advocate for local small businesses. He serves as the Chairman of the Orlando chapter of National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). He formerly served on the Governor’s Conference on Small Business Affairs, the Economic Development Commission of Mid-Florida, and the Greater Orlando Leadership Foundation.

But as if his business isn’t enough O’Donoghue has kept busy helping the youth through several outlets. He coached youth baseball and he served as the President of College Park Little League. He has also provided faith-based outreach for abused children and runaways at Central Florida’s House of Hope. In recent years, O’Donoghue mentored young men as National President of Alpha Tau Omega, a two-term stint that included restoring a focus on moral excellence, seeking truth and self-sacrifice.

“Bruce is home grown and has been a life long resident of the area. He has an attachment to the Central Florida and that is important to me,” said Gebhardt.

Scurlock added, “Things are crumbling around us and I want this to be a better place for my kids. Politicians are arrogant and have their minds made up and someone like Bruce has an ear to listen. He doesn’t have to agree with me, but it’s nice to know he will listen.”

Akey summed up the feelings of all three men by saying, “We need someone like Bruce in every congressional district who sees the importance of serving all the people and who doesn’t see it as a career opportunity.”

O’Donoghue has received the endorsements of former U.S. Senator Mel Martinez, who also served as both the Chairman of Orange County and as Director of US Housing and Urban Development, as well as from former Florida Lt. Governor Toni Jennings.  O’Donoghue lives in Baldwin Park with his wife Leigh and their two daughters Alison and Gracie.