The contest for Orange County mayor is already breaking records as millions of dollars are poured into the race, including eye-popping sums from some big names around the country – and one notable Mouse.
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The four candidates in the nonpartisan race for the county’s most powerful office have collectively raised nearly $3 million in their campaign accounts and political committees with six weeks before the primary election – more than was raised in the 2018 election, the last time an incumbent wasn’t in the race. Demings clinched his first term in the August primary with 62% of the vote.
Former congresswoman Stephanie Murphy leads the field with nearly $1.5 million raised so far, surpassing outgoing Mayor Jerry Demings’ treasury in that earlier campaign when he won his first term.
The high totals reflect the intense interest in the race to oversee Orange County’s massive $8-plus billion budget— larger than several states — with massive regional influence on growth, transportation, housing and a slew of other issues.
Murphy’s fundraising haul is bolstered by a $250,000 contribution from Center Aisle PAC, a political committee she founded to support centrist candidates, as well as a $150,000 contribution from billionaire J. Hyatt Brown, $125,000 from Beat Kähli, who developed Avalon Park, and $100,000 contributions from billionaire Michael Bloomberg.
When Bloomberg, a former Republican New York City mayor-turned-Democratic mega-donor, ran for president in 2020, Murphy was one of his most prominent backers.
Her PAC also received $100,000 from Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, which appears to be the theme park giant’s largest-ever contribution to a local candidate. The company didn’t respond to a request for comment.
Murphy said the big-money support of more than $1.1 million to her committee Forging Florida’s Future, in addition to about $338,000 in traditional contributions capped at $1,000 apiece, is a sign of her campaign’s strength.
“Everybody who has supported me has bought into this notion that we need to have affordability, livability and opportunity for people across this county,” said Murphy, of Winter Park, a Democrat who represented parts of Orange and Seminole counties in Congress from 2017 to 2023.
“People who support me know exactly what I’m about,” she said, “and they’re supporting me because they understand that is something this community needs.”
Mayra Uribe, a sitting county commissioner from south of Orlando, had a substantial fundraising haul of her own with $808,000. She said she’s nearing her goal of about $850,000, which she thinks will be enough to run a winning campaign.
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Uribe, a Democrat, said her positions on curbing tourism’s influence – from her past efforts to cut Visit Orlando’s budget and opposing another expansion of the Orange County Convention Center – were likely a factor in Disney backing Murphy.
“It lets you know that the industry wants someone they can control and that’s why they gave my opponent $100,000,” Uribe said. She added that Murphy’s high-dollar checks made her question if “she’s making promises about our town that I don’t think will be good for our town.”
The largest contribution to Uribe’s committee, Action For Florida, was $95,000 from Universal Nissan, a car dealership owned by Bill Nero.
Tiffany Moore Russell, the current Clerk of the Courts from Winter Garden, has raised about $325,000 between her campaign account and political committee. She said she has received money from 1,500 people.
While cash is helpful, she said Orange County’s history shows the highest fundraiser doesn’t always win. In the 2010 mayoral race, Teresa Jacobs defeated millionaire Bill Segal, who far outraised her.
“Money does help, but the most raised does not always mean victory in Orange County,” said Moore Russell, a Democrat. “Money does help you reach more people.”
She said she had been in communication with Disney prior to learning about the company’s contribution to Murphy – a figure she called “shocking.”
The fourth candidate, Chris Messina, a Winter Park Republican who described himself as a Christian conservative, has raised about $134,000 and said he’s been knocking on doors and meeting voters face to face.
“It’s interesting that the conservative candidate is the one who has raised the least money, but is the most focused on building a ground game,” he said. “Money is always important in terms of getting your message out, but the most important thing is talking to real-life voters.”
The primary election is Aug. 18, and if no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two will advance to a runoff Nov. 3. The winner will be sworn into office in December.
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