Photo by Teresa Sargeant
Key Points
Tiffany Moore Russell made history on Tuesday, becoming the first Black woman elected Orange County mayor, while Kamia Brown defeated appointed incumbent Mike Crabb in the County Commission District 2 race.
Moore Russell received 278,746 votes to Chris Messina’s 164,941, according to unofficial results from the Orange County Supervisor of Elections. All 263 precincts had reported, and the totals remained unchanged as of midday Wednesday.
Brown received 39,959 votes to Crabb’s 23,190.
Moore Russell, the outgoing Orange County clerk of courts and a former county commissioner, celebrated her victory with supporters at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in downtown Orlando, reflecting on her upbringing in Tangelo Park and her years of public service.
“History may remember my name, but this victory belongs to all of us,” Moore Russell said during her election-night celebration.
She pledged to serve all Orange County residents, regardless of whether they supported her candidacy, and identified housing, transportation, public safety, infrastructure and economic opportunity among her priorities.
During a subsequent press conference, Moore Russell discussed plans to establish a transition team with representation from across the county. She also emphasized cooperation with Orange County’s 13 municipalities.
“We’re going to have to work smarter and work together to provide services to our residents,” she said.
In a statement posted Wednesday to his campaign’s Facebook page, Messina thanked supporters and acknowledged his defeat.
“We did not win the Mayor’s seat,” Messina said. “You invested so much in our 21st Century Vision for Orange County. But now it is uncertain if any of it will come to life.”
Messina also celebrated the passage of Amendment 3, a property-tax measure he supported, and warned against efforts to impose new taxes.
Brown, a former state representative, expressed gratitude to voters in a text message to The Apopka Chief late Tuesday.
“I am deeply honored and grateful to have earned the trust of the people of Orange County District 2,” Brown said. “Tonight’s victory reflects our shared belief in leadership that shows up, listens, and delivers results.”
Brown said she plans to focus on managing growth responsibly, investing in neighborhoods, strengthening the local economy and ensuring residents have a voice in county decisions.
In a Wednesday afternoon telephone interview with The Apopka Chief, Crabb said he was disappointed and surprised by the results. He attributed his defeat partly to Republican turnout and the political climate.
“I felt like I was a good candidate at the wrong time,” Crabb said.
Crabb said he would not have changed his campaign strategy and described the challenges of balancing campaigning with his responsibilities as county commissioner.
Reflecting on his brief tenure, Crabb said he was particularly pleased that tourist development tax funding supported projects outside downtown Orlando, including projects in Apopka, Ocoee and Winter Garden.
He identified Amendment 3’s potential effects on local government revenue as a major challenge facing Brown and other county officials. Crabb estimated that Amendment 3 could reduce Orange County’s general fund revenue by $165 million, based on a $1.8 billion budget, and expressed concern about potential funding challenges for Orange County Fire Rescue.
Crabb also urged Brown to work with Apopka Mayor Nick Nesta to identify opportunities for cooperation between city and county governments.
“I think she needs to collaborate with Mayor Nesta and figure out ways to be more efficient with what we’re doing close to the city-county line,” Crabb said.
Crabb said he had congratulated Brown and offered to assist with her transition, including inviting her to meetings and rescheduling others until after she takes office.
He encouraged Brown to listen to constituents and prepare for commission meetings, emphasizing that commissioners must consider countywide issues as well as district concerns.
Crabb said he plans to retire from public service on Dec. 7 and concentrate on expanding his small business in Ocoee.
Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Crabb to the District 2 seat after former Commissioner Christine Moore resigned to run for Apopka mayor.
Both county election results remain unofficial until certified.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional information and comments.