- February 14, 2025
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The Orange Observer 2024 Orange County District 1 Candidate Debate was hosted at the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine in Horizon West.
The 2024 Orange County District 1 Candidate Debate was hosted by the Orange Observer team. From left top: Sarah Santiago, Amy Quesinberry, Annabelle Sikes, Cyndi Gustafson, Iggy Collazo and Zari Gotay.
Austin Arthur supporters waved signs outside of the debate venue to support the candidate.
Nicole Wilson supporters introduced attendees to their favored candidate.
Rachel Freeman, left, Robert Hasty and Marlin Hernandez represented the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine at the debate.
Austin Arthur supporters introduced attendees to their favored candidate.
Ashton Wilson, left, Kip Riecken and Audrey Kelley helped to represent incumbent Nicole Wilson at the debate.
Chris Chan, of Chris Chan Media, helped to live-stream the debate.
Orange Observer Editor & Publisher Mike Eng and Sports Editor Sam Albuquerque before the start of the debate.
Orange Observer Sports Editor Sam Albuquerque, moderator for the debate, left, challenger Austin Arthur, incumbent Nicole Wilson and Orange Observer Editor & Publisher Mike Eng following the end of the debate.
Heather Parker, left, Lindsay Turner and Kyleigh Edsall represented Horizon West Happenings at the event.
Windermere residents Dave Ogden, left, Shelly Ogden and Anthony Davit attended the debate together.
Local residents Josh and Nicole France showed their support for incumbent Nicole Wilson with their T-shirts.
Dawn Willis, left, Courtney Gleaton and Maggie Bonko helped represent Orlando Health as the event presenting sponsor.
Orange Observer Editor & Publisher Mike Eng introduced the debate and welcomed attendees to the event.
Maggie Bonko, vice president of Orlando Health and president of Orlando Health - Horizon West Hospital, shared some words about the health care organization as the event presenting sponsor before the start of the debate.
Robert Hasty, dean and chief academic officer at the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine, shared some words about the new school as the event host sponsor before the start of the debate.
The Orange Observer 2024 Orange County District 1 Candidate Debate kicked off with opening statements from both candidates.
Incumbent Nicole Wilson spoke on why she would make the best choice for voters as Orange County District 1 commissioner.
Challenger Austin Arthur spoke on why he would make the best choice for voters as Orange County District 1 commissioner.
Orange Observer representatives Iggy Collazo, left, and Cyndi Gustafson helped to collect voting tickets following the debate.
Hundreds of West Orange and Southwest Orange residents attend the Observer’s 2024 Orange County Commission District 1 Debate, held July 31, at the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine.
The debate featured incumbent Nicole Wilson and challenger Austin Arthur — two candidates vying for the seat. Moderator Sam Albuquerque challenged both candidates with questions about their stances on myriad issues in West Orange, including development, infrastructure and more.
Sponsors included presenting sponsor Orlando Health, venue sponsor OCOM and live-stream sponsor Chris Chan Media.
EXIT POLL
At the conclusion of the debate, live attendees were invited to participate in an exit poll. Here are the results:
Austin Arthur: 152 ✓
Nicole Wilson: 66