Michael “Mike” Crabb was sworn in Tuesday as Orange County’s District 2 commissioner shortly before taking his seat for his first Board of County Commissioners meeting. 

Ninth Judicial Circuit Judge Andrew Bain administered the oath of office during the ceremony at the Orange County Administration Center before the commission’s 9 a.m. meeting. Crabb’s wife, Pamela, joined him for the ceremony and held the Bible as he took the oath.  

The Rev. Alexander H. Smith, senior pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Apopka, delivered the invocation before the ceremony. Apopka Mayor Nick Nesta also attended and was recognized before Crabb took the oath of office. 

Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings welcomed Crabb to the Board of County Commissioners and noted his more than 30 years in law enforcement with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. 

“While sometimes we don’t always agree on everything … it means that we just have different opinions,” Demings said.  

During open remarks after the oath, Crabb joked he didn’t have time to write a speech because he was too busy reviewing the tourism development tax in preparation for his first commission meeting.  

“I was up all night studying TDT, so I didn’t write a speech,” Crabb said. “Thank you, Mayor, for that agenda item. I appreciate that for my first one.” 

Crabb said he wants Orange County to strengthen its collaboration with communities throughout District 2, including Ocoee, Apopka, Eatonville, Tangerine, Zellwood, Lockhart and Clarcona.  

“I promise you that I will be a good commissioner for our district, and I will work hard,” Crabb said. “I will do my very best, and we will continue to try to move District 2 forward.” 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Crabb on July 31 to fill the vacancy created by Christine Moore, who resigned to run for mayor of Apopka. Moore lost the April 14 mayoral runoff to Nick Nesta and later sought reappointment from DeSantis to serve the remainder of her District 2 term. The seat had been vacant since April 27.  

Crabb had applied for the vacant commission seat earlier in the year and told the Apopka Chief after his appointment that he participated in a telephone interview with the governor’s office roughly two weeks before DeSantis selected him. 

At the time of the appointment, Crabb was one of five candidates campaigning for a full four-year term representing District 2. He faced Kamia Brown, Wes Hodge, George Oliver III and Marsha Summersill in the Aug. 18 nonpartisan primary.  

No candidate received a majority of the vote, sending Brown and Crabb, the top two finishers, to a Nov. 3 runoff. Brown received 7,869 (32.24%) of the votes, while Crabb received 6,205 (25.42%) of the votes, according to election results.  

Crabb recently retired from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office after a 30-year career as a deputy, in addition to six years as a reserve deputy, according to Orange County. He also owns The Shirt Shop USA, a small business in Ocoee. 

During Tuesday’s ceremony, Crabb thanked his family, campaign supporters and former Sheriff’s Office colleagues. He said cooperation between county government and municipalities would be a priority during his time on the commission. 

“The county needs to be a good collaborator and partner moving forward,” Crabb said. 

Crabb is serving the remainder of Moore’s term while continuing his campaign for a full term in District 2. The winner of the Nov. 3 runoff is scheduled to take office on Dec. 8.