16 Facts About Buddy Dyer

John Hugh "Buddy" Dyer was born on August 7,1958 and is an American politician who has served as the Mayor of Orlando since 2003.

Buddy Dyer previously served as a representative for Orlando in the Florida State Senate from 1992 to 2002, with the last two years serving as the Senate Democratic leader.

Buddy Dyer grew up in nearby Kissimmee, graduating from Osceola High School.

Buddy Dyer began his political career after serving as an attorney and lawyer following his graduations from Brown University and the University of Florida College of Law.

Buddy Dyer had two Democratic primary opponents, Candice "Candy" Crawford and Tim Adams, a local business owner.

Buddy Dyer received the support of many of the local churches as well as the endorsement of Tim Adams and Dotti Wynn, while Crawford relied on State Representative Alzo Reddick.

Buddy Dyer was re-elected in 1996 and 2000, serving ten years in the State Senate, where he was State Senate Democratic leader for three years.

Buddy Dyer was elected the 32nd mayor of Orlando on February 25,2003, in a special election after the previous mayor, Glenda Hood, was appointed Florida's Secretary of State.

Buddy Dyer was re-elected in 2004 in a regular election, narrowly avoiding a runoff with challenger Ken Mulvaney.

Incumbent Buddy Dyer successfully ran for a sixth term, which he has said will be his last.

Buddy Dyer attracted state-of-the-art health care facilities and created a regional medical area at Lake Nona, and has worked to improve all of the city's neighborhoods.

Buddy Dyer advocated a new performing arts center for Orlando and a new arena for the Orlando Magic.

Buddy Dyer was one of nine mayors who established July 15 as Social Media Giving Day in 2013, encouraging citizens to support charities via social media.

In March 2005, Buddy Dyer was suspended by Governor Jeb Bush in accordance with the Florida Constitution.

Buddy Dyer filed for divorce from his wife on September 1,2017; the divorce document stated the marriage was "irretrievably broken".

Buddy Dyer married his second wife, Susie Pinson Galloway Shields, in 2021.