MEET THE CANDIDATES 2026: Orange County mayor

Four people are vying to succeed outgoing Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.

By Liz Ramos
| 10:26 a.m. July 29, 2026

West Orange Times & Observer
News

Before the Aug. 18 primary, the Observer will be publishing Q&As featuring candidates in key races that will appear on ballots in West Orange and Southwest Orange. This week, we introduce the candidates for Orange County Mayor. Four candidates — Chris Messina,

Tiffany Moore Russell, Stephanie Murphy and Mayra Uribe — are vying to succeed Jerry Demings, who was elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022.

THE CANDIDATES

Chris Messina

Tiffany Moore Russell

Stephanie Murphy

Mayra Uribe

author

Liz Ramos

Managing Editor Liz Ramos previously covered education and community for the East County Observer. Before moving to Florida, Liz was an education reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance in Virginia for two years after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.