The Orange County mayoral race is heating up, with candidates Chris Messina, Mayra Uribe, Tiffany Moore Russell, and Stephanie Murphy vying for the top spot. As part of WESH 2’s Commitment 2026 initiative, the candidates recently participated in a debate to discuss key issues affecting Central Florida voters.
Key Issues Discussed
The debate, moderated by reporters Greg Fox and Stewart Moore, covered topics such as affordability, property tax bills, tourist development taxes, public transportation, and expanding sports facilities. The candidates were also asked about their beliefs on these issues and how they plan to address them if elected.
As the executive head of the Board of County Commissioners, the mayor of Orange County plays a crucial role in overseeing county operations and the budget, which exceeds $9 billion. The mayor also has voting power, along with other commissioner members, and is responsible for making key decisions that impact the community.
Primary election day is scheduled for August 18, with early voting beginning on August 3. Voters can also request a mail-in ballot by August 6. This debate is part of a series of debates that will focus on the primary and general races across Central Florida, with the goal of providing voters with comprehensive and fact-based information to make informed decisions.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
