Until the last day of July, the five candidates campaigning to be the next District 2 Orange County commissioner were vying for an open seat.
Read more Orlando could slap restrictions on e-bikes and e-scooters
The job, representing northwestern Orange County including Apopka, Lockhart, Ocoee and Zellwood, had been vacant since April when term-limited incumbent Christine Moore resigned as required by state law to run for another elected office — Apopka mayor — a contest that she ultimately lost.
But July 31, after waiting months, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis tapped the lone Republican among the quintet of candidates, Mike Crabb, an Orange County sheriff’s lieutenant with over 30 years of law enforcement service, to assume Moore’s seat until voters decide Aug. 18 who should represent them next.
The Orange County Democratic Party criticized the appointment. “For years, Gov. DeSantis has repeatedly inserted himself into local decisions in Orange County,” party leaders said in a social media post. “This latest appointment continues that pattern and, given the timing, undermines the principle that voters should choose their own representatives.”
The other candidates in the race are Democrats: former state Rep. Kamia Brown; Wes Hodge, a former chairman of the Orange County Democratic Party; Ocoee city commissioner George Oliver III; and Marsha Summersill, a family law attorney who previously ran for the state Legislature.
Early voting began Aug. 3, the Monday following DeSantis’ announcement.
If no candidate receives at least 50% of the vote in the Aug. 18 primary election, the top two vote-getters advance to a runoff in November.
The district, which has 112,000 registered voters — second only to fast-growing west Orange District 1 — includes 43,000 or 38.4% registered as Democrats; about 34,000 or 30% registered as Republicans; and about 31,000 or 27% who claimed no party affiliation, according to Election Supervisor data.
Voters who identify as White number about 51,000 or 45.4 % of the district’s electorate; voters identifying as Black total about 28,000 or about 25%; and voters identifying as Hispanic number about 21,000 or about 18.6%.
Crabb revealed at a candidate forum in Lockhart that he will retire Friday, Aug. 14, from the Sheriff’s Office and take the oath of office Aug. 25.
Responding to a candidate questionnaire, Brown said she would work to streamline permitting services and shorten inspection timelines that add costs to development projects. “I support workforce and attainable housing initiatives, stronger workforce development partnerships, and policies that help businesses attract and retain employees,” she said of her top priorities. “Orange County must create an environment where businesses can grow efficiently while residents can continue to afford to live and work here.” Her website: kamiafororangecounty.com.
Read more 5 women in Florida’s largest women’s prison alleged sexual assault. They’ll get $100,000
Crabb, also owner of a small business, The Shirt Shop, listed his top priorities as public safety and improving critical public infrastructure. He listed water, wastewater and storm-water system projects and continuing the transition of communities near the Wekiva Basin from septic tanks to sewer connections. The Wekiva Basin septic-to-sewer switch is intended to protect the river and springs. He said in a candidate questionnaire he also will focus on roadway projects in the district that aim to improve congested intersections. His website: ilikemikecrabb.com.
Hodge, who previously served as chief of staff for two Orange County commissioners, said he would prioritize increasing the supply of housing at all price points. “That means supporting smart growth strategies like mixed-use and mixed-income developments that create vibrant, livable communities,” he said, outlining his stand on affordable housing. “It’s time for Orange County to receive our fair share of the gas tax revenue we send to Tallahassee and to ensure tourism dollars are reinvested into our transportation system.” His website: weshodgeoc.com.
Oliver, who in 2018 became the first Black municipal candidate in Ocoee’s history to win an election, explains his priorities in short Facebook videos. “I’ll fight for growth that respects the rural character and protect the quiet lives that families move there for,” he said in a 22-second spot. A Navy veteran, he touts his experience as a retired federal auditor to tract inefficient spending of public money in the $8-billion-plus county budget. “I know how to find waste,” he said. His website: georgeoliver3rd.com.
Summersill, a family law attorney who formerly worked as a child-abuse investigator, listed housing affordability among core issues of her campaign. “Too many working families can no longer afford to live in the communities they helped build . . . I’ve seen how housing instability affects every part of a family’s life,” she said in a candidate questionnaire. She said she would support expanding affordable and workforce housing while encouraging responsible development that includes paying their fair share of needed infrastructure. Her website: marshaforflorida.com.
Campaign finance reports show Oliver leads all candidates’ fund-raising efforts with $65,000 to date, though $50,000 was loaned from himself.
Brown was next with $51,000, including $1,000 from Down Ballot Democrats, a political action committee.
Crabb and Summersill each raised about $25,000. Crabb’s contributions included a $7,000 loan to himself and $1,000 each from five auto dealerships. Summersill loaned her campaign about $3,000 and her donors include Lift-Off Florida, a Democrat political committee that gave her $1,000.
Hodge raised about $24,000, including a $5,000 loan to himself; and $1,000 each from a labor union, Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad, for whom he served as chief of staff and Leaders Who Deliver, an Orlando political committee which supports candidates who “defend home rule, sustainable growth, and workers. Hodge said during a candidate’s forum hosted by the People of Lockhart that he won’t accept donations from developers.
Read more Skeletal remains found near Walt Disney World, deputies say