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Orlando attorney Kevin Morenski on Monday announced his plans to run as a Republican against Democrat Aramis Ayala for Orange-Osceola state attorney in 2020.

Much of the focus at his news conference at the Orange County Courthouse, however, was on Ken Lewis, a fired former assistant state attorney who Morenski said would be his top assistant if elected.

Lewis was fired in 2016 after writing in a Facebook post in the hours after the Pulse massacre that all Orlando clubs are "zoos; utter cesspools of debauchery and downtown Orlando was a "melting pot of third world miscreants and ghetto thugs."

Morenski, 31, a family law and criminal defense attorney, said he was running in response to Ayalas decision not to seek the death penalty in capital cases.

Ayala said Thursday she would not seek capital punishment for Markeith Loyd, charged with killing Orlando Police Lt. Debra Clayton and his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon. Gov. Rick Scott removed Ayala from the case, but she filed a motion Monday to stay that decision.

I share the outrage an overwhelming number of you feel about of the loss of faith in the position of state attorney for Orange and Osceola counties, Morenski said on the courthouse steps.

The people deserve a state attorney who is honest, ethical and dignified to serve in that capacity, he said. And above all, the people deserve a state attorney who will honor their oath to this community and follow the law. Every decision I make will not be made out of political expediency, cronyism, or an ulterior purpose.

Morenski cited Ayalas death penalty decision, as well as what he called playing the race card during her 2016 campaign in explaining why he decided to run. He also said she went too far in making an example of six employees fired over a cocaine- and marijuana-use scandal, saying two of the fired employees had no connection to the cocaine use and were unfairly targeted.

He also criticized Ayalas predecessor, Jeff Ashton, for using the Ashley Madison online dating website in his work office. Ayala defeated Ashton in the Democratic primary last year, which determined the election with only a write-in Republican challenger.

I am a Republican, and it was shameful that the Republican Party failed to give you a real choice in 2016, he said. That will change, that must change.

Morenski said Lewis, the best and most experienced homicide prosecutor this office had, would be his chief assistant if elected. That should dispel any thoughts or concerns about my administrations qualifications.

Lewis said Morenski had a powerful message, and felt that it was enough of an emegency situation that announcing more than three years before the election was warranted. He also admitted, I dont know Mr. Morenski, but [he] reached out to me Saturday and I said I would listen to what he had to say.

Lewis said the posts that led to his firing were satire, my Facebook page is satire. It has nothing to do with how we do our jobs over here. My record speaks for itself right here in this courthouse.

slemongello@orlandosentinel.com, 407-418-5920 or @stevelemongello

Death penalty decision looms large over Aramis Ayala's political future

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Republican attorney announces 2020 run against State Attorney Aramis Ayala - Orlando Sentinel