Tiffany Moore Russell makes history as Orange County’s first elected Black female mayor, while five County Commission races bring a new political landscape to Central Florida. Housing, transportation, property taxes and infrastructure are among the challenges awaiting the incoming administration.
THE SUN POST DECIDES 2026 | GENERAL ELECTIONS
By Marcos A. Tejeda
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
The Sun Post News
ORLANDO, Fla., November 4, 2026. — Orange County voters delivered a significant political transition in Tuesday’s general election, choosing Tiffany Moore Russell as their next county mayor and deciding five County Commission races that will help shape the region’s government for years to come.
Moore Russell’s victory marks a historic milestone: She will become the first Black woman elected mayor of Orange County, succeeding outgoing Mayor Jerry Demings after his eight years in office.
The November 3 election also produced victories for Kamia Brown, Johanna López, Mike Scott, Patricia Rumph and Víctor Torres Jr. in their respective County Commission races.
Although County Commission positions are officially nonpartisan, the five winning candidates have Democratic political affiliations or backgrounds.
The results come as Orange County faces growing demands for affordable housing, transportation improvements, infrastructure investment, public services and long-term fiscal planning.
Tiffany Moore Russell Wins County Mayor’s Race
Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell defeated businessman Chris Messina in the runoff election for county mayor.
With all precincts reported, unofficial results showed:
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Tiffany Moore Russell | 278,746 | 62.8% |
| Chris Messina | 164,941 | 37.2% |
Margin of victory: 113,805 votes.
Moore Russell previously served on the Orange County Commission before becoming Clerk of Courts, bringing experience in both county policymaking and the administration of a major public office.
Her election follows an August contest in which no candidate secured the majority required to win outright.
She will inherit an administration responsible for overseeing essential county services, coordinating regional development and managing public investments in one of Florida’s major metropolitan areas.
The transition also carries historic significance for political representation in Orange County.
Beyond that milestone, Moore Russell’s administration will face substantial expectations regarding housing affordability, transportation, economic development, public safety and government accountability.
Kamia Brown Defeats Mike Crabb in District 2
Former Democratic state representative Kamia Brown defeated Republican Commissioner Mike Crabb in the District 2 County Commission election.
The unofficial results were:
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Kamia Brown | 39,959 | 63.3% |
| Mike Crabb | 23,190 | 36.7% |
Margin of victory: 16,769 votes.
Crabb had been appointed to the commission by Governor Ron DeSantis.
Brown’s victory changes the representation of District 2 and removes the commission’s only Republican member.
Her previous legislative experience will provide a foundation for addressing local concerns involving development, housing, transportation and county services.
The election also demonstrates how voters in Orange County selected different political leadership from the Republican candidates who prevailed in several statewide races.
Johanna López Wins District 4
Democratic state representative Johanna López won the District 4 County Commission race, defeating Republican Brian Jones and write-in candidate Isabella Arthur.
López received approximately 65% of the vote, according to preliminary results.
After serving two terms in the Florida House of Representatives, López will move from state government into county administration.
Her experience in public education and legislative policymaking will become part of the commission’s discussions on local development, infrastructure and community services.
District 4 faces issues common across much of Central Florida, including residential growth, road congestion, affordable housing and the demand for expanded public facilities.
Mike Scott Reelected in District 6
Incumbent Commissioner Mike Scott secured another term representing District 6, defeating challenger Lawanna Gelzer.
Scott received approximately 56% of the vote.
His reelection provides continuity on a commission that will otherwise include several new members.
Scott will continue participating in decisions involving county budgets, neighborhood services, infrastructure improvements and public investment.
The election also places him among the returning officials who will help guide the transition to a new mayoral administration.
Patricia Rumph Wins New District 7
Patricia Rumph defeated Vicki Vargo in the newly established District 7 County Commission race.
Rumph received approximately 70% of the vote.
District 7 was created as part of the expansion and redistricting of the Orange County Commission.
Her election adds a new representative to county government and establishes a direct political connection between the newly defined district and the commission.
The position will involve addressing residents’ priorities while participating in countywide decisions on transportation, land use, public safety and government spending.
Víctor Torres Jr. Wins District 8
Former Democratic state senator Víctor Torres Jr. defeated Republican Jeannette Quiñones Hernández in the District 8 County Commission race.
Torres received approximately 57% of the vote.
His election brings another former state legislator into county government.
Like District 7, District 8 was created through the commission’s expansion and redistricting process.
Torres will participate in decisions affecting infrastructure, housing, economic development and public services as the county adjusts to its expanded representation.
Orange County Commission: Election Results at a Glance
| District | Winning candidate | Approximate vote share |
|---|---|---|
| District 2 | Kamia Brown | 63% |
| District 4 | Johanna López | 65% |
| District 6 | Mike Scott | 56% |
| District 7 | Patricia Rumph | 70% |
| District 8 | Víctor Torres Jr. | 57% |
All results remain unofficial pending certification by election authorities.
Orange County Votes Differently From Florida Overall
One of the election’s notable patterns was the contrast between Orange County’s voting results and statewide outcomes.
While Republican Byron Donalds won Florida’s gubernatorial election, Democrat David Jolly received a substantial majority of votes in Orange County.
Unofficial county results showed:
| Governor — Orange County | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| David Jolly (D) | 297,873 | 64.1% |
| Byron Donalds (R) | 161,222 | 34.7% |
Other candidates received the remaining votes.
A similar difference appeared in the U.S. Senate race.
Although Republican Ashley Moody won statewide, Democratic challenger Angie Nixon received the majority of votes cast in Orange County.
| U.S. Senate — Orange County | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Angie Nixon (D) | 296,631 | 63.7% |
| Ashley Moody (R) | 164,370 | 35.3% |
These figures illustrate the geographic differences in Florida’s electorate.
Orange County’s results reflect voting preferences within the county and should not be confused with statewide totals.
Amendment 3 Receives Narrow Majority in Orange County
Orange County voters also considered Florida’s Amendment 3, a statewide constitutional proposal involving property tax exemptions for primary residences and assessment rules for certain properties.
Unofficial Orange County results showed:
| Option | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 227,371 | 51.0% |
| No | 218,762 | 49.0% |
Although the amendment received a narrow majority in Orange County, it required at least 60% approval statewide.
Amendment 3 passed statewide, introducing changes to homestead exemptions and property taxation over the coming years.
For Orange County’s incoming leadership, one of the major policy questions will be how these changes affect local government revenue and the financing of public services.
School Funding Also Appears on the Ballot
Orange County voters also considered a referendum involving the continuation of a one-mill property tax for Orange County Public Schools.
The proposal would extend the existing levy from July 2027 through June 2031.
Revenue from the measure supports school operations, including teacher and staff compensation, academic programs, arts, athletics and other educational services.
Unlike a proposal to establish an entirely new tax, the referendum concerned the continuation of an existing source of school funding.
A verified final vote total for this referendum was not available at the time of this report.
More Than 833,000 Registered Voters
Orange County election records listed 833,101 active registered voters as of November 3, 2026.
The registration breakdown was:
| Political affiliation | Registered voters | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 327,291 | 39.29% |
| Republican Party | 229,521 | 27.55% |
| No party affiliation | 242,450 | 29.10% |
| Other parties | 33,839 | 4.06% |
The figures provide important context for understanding the county’s political composition.
However, party registration does not necessarily determine how individual residents vote, particularly in nonpartisan local elections.
A New Administration Faces Major Challenges
The election of Tiffany Moore Russell and the new composition of the County Commission come at a pivotal moment for Orange County.
The Orlando metropolitan area continues to experience residential and commercial development, creating opportunities for investment while placing pressure on transportation networks, housing availability and public infrastructure.
Affordable housing remains a central concern for families dealing with rising rents and homeownership costs.
Transportation is another major challenge, particularly in communities where development has increased demand on existing roads and public transit systems.
County officials will also need to address public safety, environmental concerns, drainage improvements and the long-term financing of essential government services.
The statewide approval of Amendment 3 adds another fiscal consideration, as changes to property tax exemptions could affect local revenue collections.
These responsibilities will require the incoming administration and commissioners to balance community expectations, development priorities and available public resources.
A New Political Chapter for Orange County
The November 3 election established a new leadership structure for Orange County.
Moore Russell’s victory represents a historic achievement in county government, while five County Commission elections will bring a combination of returning officials and newly elected representatives into office.
The results also demonstrate that Orange County’s electoral preferences can differ substantially from statewide voting patterns.
Yet the central challenges facing residents remain largely unchanged.
Housing affordability, transportation, education, taxation and infrastructure will continue to influence the decisions of local government.
For the incoming administration, the focus now shifts from campaign commitments to public policy, budgeting and measurable outcomes.
Voters have chosen their representatives. The next chapter will be defined by the decisions those officials make and their impact on the communities they serve.
THE SUN POST DECIDES 2026
Independent journalism. Informed communities. Stronger civic participation.
Editor’s Note: Election figures reflect unofficial results available as of November 4, 2026, and remain subject to certification by the appropriate election authorities.
