Local Politics · Orange County
Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell won the county mayoral race with just under 60 percent of the vote against businessman Chris Messina's 35 percent, in a contest drawing roughly 55 percent turnout countywide. The officially nonpartisan race saw Moore Russell succeed term-limited Mayor Jerry Demings, who held the office since 2018. As mayor, she will oversee a nearly $9 billion budget and serve on a newly expanded nine-member board of county commissioners. County commission races also produced results, including Patricia Rumph winning the newly created District 7 seat and Johanna Lopez leading in District 4.
Local Politics · Orange County
In the Nov. 3 General Election, Democrat Leonard Spencer retained Florida House District 45 with 33,624 votes (54.26%) over Republican Erin Huntley's 28,347 votes (45.74%). Orange County voters elected Tiffany Moore Russell as county mayor in a landslide, 273,693 to Chris Messina's 161,938, making her the first female Black mayor in Orange County history. Kamia Brown won the Orange County Commission District 2 seat over Mike Crabb with 63.21% of the vote. Orange County Public Schools' one-mill property tax amendment passed with 78.65% support. Statewide Amendment 3 appeared to pass with approximately 62% support as of press time.
Community News · Orange County
Mandatory lawn watering restrictions are now in place across Orange County, Florida, and will remain through the second Sunday of March. Residents with odd-numbered or no addresses may water on Saturdays; even-numbered addresses may water on Sundays; nonresidential properties may water on Tuesdays. Watering is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., though new sod or landscaping may be irrigated any day for the first 30 days after installation. Violators face a $25 fine per violation.
Crime · Winter Garden, FL
Orange County deputies responded around 11:20 a.m. Tuesday to a shooting off America Street in Winter Garden, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office. One round was fired, injuring one man directly while two others were unintentionally struck by the fallout of the same round. All three men were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The sheriff's office said the investigation is ongoing and details about what led up to the shooting or the shooter's identity have not been released.
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Local Politics · Orange County
FOX 35 News provided live coverage of Florida midterm election results for Orange County races, including U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, and state and local contests with three amendments. Polls in Florida were open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time on Election Day. Results are sourced from the Supervisor of Elections for Orange County.
Community brief · Winter Garden, FL
District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson and nonprofit Hope Along the Way are partnering for a Pre-Thanksgiving Community Feeding at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at 125 Center St., Winter Garden. The event will provide turkeys to residents in need on a first come, first serve basis. Residents in Winter Garden or surrounding areas seeking a turkey are asked to submit their information to Hope Massey as soon as possible. More details are available at…
Nearby · Local Politics · Orange County
Democrats flipped six state House seats across Central Florida on Tuesday, Nov. 3, helping break the GOP supermajority in the chamber. Gains came in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties, with Democrats unseating Republican incumbents in districts covering Apopka, Sanford, Altamonte Springs, Kissimmee and other communities. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee confirmed the statewide goal was reached Tuesday night. Republicans held two Lake County seats in HD 25 and HD 26.
