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Nesta proposes Apopka government restructuring; former campaign manager expresses interest in chief of staff role

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The Florida Capital
Seminole County Chamber opposes Amendment 3 over economic concerns
The Seminole County Chamber’s board voted unanimously to oppose Amendment 3 after reviewing its potential local impact. Chamber leaders said the proposal could strain public services and create uncertainty for small businesses and nonprofits. more
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Orange County Commission District 2 candidates Kamia Brown and Mike Crabb agreed that infrastructure, traffic, water quality, and public safety are among the district’s most pressing concerns. Their debate revealed sharper differences over growth, government spending, economic development, and how broadly county government should respond to community needs.
Brown, Crabb debate highlights different approaches to growth, spending in District 2
Orange County Commission District 2 candidates Kamia Brown and Mike Crabb agreed that infrastructure, traffic, water quality, and public safety are among the district’s most pressing concerns. Their debate revealed sharper differences over growth, government spending, economic development, and how broadly county government should respond to community needs. more
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Apopka Involved Voters will host forums on Sept. 21 and 22 for candidates in the Orange County mayoral and District 2 commission runoffs. Both events will begin at 7 pm at Victory Church and will be open to an in-person audience, with a livestream.
Apopka Involved Voters is hosting two Orange County runoff forums
Apopka Involved Voters will host forums on Sept. 21 and 22 for candidates in the Orange County mayoral and District 2 commission runoffs. Both events will begin at 7 pm at Victory Church and will be open to an in-person audience, with a livestream. more
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The coastline in Steinhatchee remains covered in debris on October 3, 2024, following Hurricane Helene.
Sierra Club warns Amendment 3 could weaken Florida’s storm defenses
Sierra Club Florida has announced its opposition to Amendment 3, arguing that the proposed property tax changes could undermine local storm preparations and other public services. If approved by at least 60% of voters, the measure would significantly increase the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes. more
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Tiffany Moore-Russell and Chris Messina advanced to the Orange County mayoral runoff, while Kamia Brown and Mike Crabb moved forward in County Commission District 2. Doug Bankson won decisively in Florida House District 39, and Roberta Walton-Johnson, Joe Strada and James Pericola captured their respective party nominations.
Breaking Election Results: Messina, Moore-Russell advance for mayor; Brown, Crabb headed to runoff in District 2: Bankson wins decisively in District 39
Tiffany Moore-Russell and Chris Messina advanced to the Orange County mayoral runoff, while Kamia Brown and Mike Crabb moved forward in County Commission District 2. Doug Bankson won decisively in Florida House District 39, and Roberta Walton-Johnson, Joe Strada and James Pericola captured their respective party nominations. more
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Polls are open from 7 am to 7 pm Tuesday as Orange County voters cast ballots in Florida’s 2026 primary election. Featured races include Orange County mayor and Commission District 2, as well as contests for clerk of courts, U.S. House District 11 and Florida House District 39.
Apopka voters head to the polls Tuesday for 2026 primary election
Polls are open from 7 am to 7 pm Tuesday as Orange County voters cast ballots in Florida’s 2026 primary election. Featured races include Orange County mayor and Commission District 2, as well as contests for clerk of courts, U.S. House District 11 and Florida House District 39. more
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Orange County mayoral candidate Mayra Uribe believes that voters should judge candidates by their public records, not only their campaign promises. She points to eight years on the County Commission as evidence of her positions on housing, transportation, taxes, public safety, and accountability.
Mayra Uribe points to eight-year record in closing argument for Orange County mayor
Orange County mayoral candidate Mayra Uribe believes that voters should judge candidates by their public records, not only their campaign promises. She points to eight years on the County Commission as evidence of her positions on housing, transportation, taxes, public safety, and accountability. more
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Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has submitted rewritten ballot language for Amendment 3 after a Leon County judge rejected the original title as resembling a political slogan. The revised language details proposed increases to the homestead exemption, a lower assessment-growth cap for non-homestead property and new restrictions on local property tax revenue.
Toned-down Amendment 3 ballot language ready for another judicial review
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has submitted rewritten ballot language for Amendment 3 after a Leon County judge rejected the original title as resembling a political slogan. The revised language details proposed increases to the homestead exemption, a lower assessment-growth cap for non-homestead property and new restrictions on local property tax revenue. more
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Citrus, Hernando, Pasco and Sarasota counties have adopted temporary moratoriums on new AI data centers and other communities are considering similar pauses, according to the Florida Independent.
Florida's data center boom sparks bipartisan backlash
Florida’s gubernatorial candidates are staking out sharply different positions on large artificial intelligence data centers as communities raise concerns about water use, energy demand, noise and development. more
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More than 61,000 Orange County voters have cast ballots in Florida’s 2026 primary, including 1,706 early votes recorded at the Apopka Community Center.
Orange County surpasses 61,000 ballots as Florida primary voting accelerates
More than 61,000 Orange County voters have cast ballots in Florida’s 2026 primary, including 1,706 early votes recorded at the Apopka Community Center. Democrats lead the countywide count, but the party margin at the Apopka voting site is substantially narrower. more
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Farmworker Association of Florida organizer Jeannie Economos contends Orange County’s decision to replace mailed paper sample ballots with a QR-code mailing for the primary election could disenfranchise thousands of voters. In this guest opinion, she urges the Supervisor of Elections to resume mailing paper sample ballots to every registered voter.
Opinion: Will this year’s primary election be compromised?
Farmworker Association of Florida organizer contends Orange County’s decision to replace mailed paper sample ballots with a QR-code mailing for the primary election could disenfranchise thousands of voters. more
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Former Apopka Vice Mayor Kyle Becker has endorsed Terrell Thomas for Orange County clerk of courts. Becker cited Thomas' plans to modernize court services, expand online access, and improve the clerk's office's efficiency and accessibility.
Former Apopka Commissioner Kyle Becker endorses Terrell Thomas for Orange County Clerk
Former Apopka Vice Mayor Kyle Becker has endorsed Terrell Thomas for Orange County clerk of courts. Becker cited Thomas' plans to modernize court services, expand online access, and improve the clerk's office's efficiency and accessibility. more
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Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Orange County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Mike Crabb to the District 2 seat on the Orange County Commission. Crabb will serve the remainder of Christine Moore’s term while campaigning against four opponents for a full four-year term.
DeSantis appoints Mike Crabb to vacant Orange County Commission District 2 seat
Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Orange County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Mike Crabb to the District 2 seat on the Orange County Commission. Crabb will serve the remainder of Christine Moore’s term while campaigning against four opponents for a full four-year term. more
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Orange County Clerk of Courts candidate Terrell Thomas says his campaign is rooted in legacy, leadership and a vision he calls "Clerk Forward." Drawing on 20 years with the Clerk's Office and private-sector experience developing court technology, Thomas outlines plans to improve customer service, expand community access and strengthen workplace culture.
Terrell Thomas says experience, relationships and legacy prepare him to lead the Orange County Clerk's Office
Orange County Clerk of Courts candidate Terrell Thomas says his campaign is rooted in legacy, leadership and a vision he calls "Clerk Forward." Drawing on 20 years with the Clerk's Office and private-sector experience developing court technology, Thomas outlines plans to improve customer service, expand community access and strengthen workplace culture. more
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Orange County Commissioner Mayra Uribe Far right) says she is running for mayor because the county needs a leader willing to challenge the status quo rather than simply manage it. In an interview with The Apopka Voice, she discussed her plans to streamline government, tackle housing affordability, and improve transportation.
Mayra Uribe says Orange County needs bold leadership, not business as usual
Orange County Commissioner Mayra Uribe says she is running for mayor because the county needs a leader willing to challenge the status quo rather than simply manage it. In an interview with The Apopka Voice, she discussed her plans to streamline government, tackle housing affordability, and improve transportation. more
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Orange County mayoral candidate Stephanie Murphy says the county is at a pivotal moment, with rapid growth demanding faster government and long-term planning. In an interview with The Apopka Voice, Murphy detailed her vision for tackling affordability, easing congestion, expanding workforce opportunities, and strengthening partnerships with municipalities across the county.
Stephanie Murphy says Orange County needs faster government, stronger partnerships and a long-term vision
Orange County mayoral candidate Stephanie Murphy says the county is at a pivotal moment, with rapid growth demanding faster government and long-term planning. In an interview with The Apopka Voice, Murphy detailed her vision for tackling affordability, easing congestion, expanding workforce opportunities, and strengthening partnerships with municipalities across the county. more
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Rick Singh is asking Orange County voters to return him to public office, this time as clerk of courts. The former property appraiser says his experience in government, business, and the military would help him build a more accessible and service-oriented agency.
Rick Singh says Orange County Clerk's Office needs a CEO, not simply a caretaker
Rick Singh is asking Orange County voters to return him to public office, this time as clerk of courts. The former property appraiser says his experience in government, business, and the military would help him build a more accessible and service-oriented agency. more
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So far, 523,083 registered Democratic voters in Florida have requested vote-by-mail ballots, compared to 391,149 registered Republicans. An additional 217,849 Non-Party-Affiliated voters and 25,193 from other political parties have made such requests.
First vote-by-mail ballots for 2026 Florida primaries have already been returned
Florida voters who plan to cast their ballots by mail have until August 6 to submit a vote-by-mail request for the August 18 primary election. More than 1.1 million Floridians have already requested mail ballots, with supervisors of elections beginning to send them to domestic voters this week. more
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After serving eight years on the Orange County Commission and nearly 12 years as Clerk of Courts, Tiffany Moore Russell believes she has the experience to lead Orange County through its next chapter. Russell is pictured (center) in Orange.
Tiffany Moore Russell says experience, affordability and collaboration define her campaign for Orange County mayor
After serving eight years on the Orange County Commission and nearly 12 years as Clerk of Courts, Tiffany Moore Russell believes she has the experience to lead Orange County through its next chapter. In this candidate profile, she discusses affordability, growth, infrastructure, property taxes, and her vision for partnering with cities like Apopka. more
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A proposed 1-mill property tax increase sparked criticism before Apopka's budget workshop even began. But as the discussion unfolded, Mayor Nick Nesta steered the conversation toward a smaller increase and a larger question: how should the city pay for years of deferred infrastructure needs?
Analysis: Nesta resets Apopka's budget debate
A proposed 1-mill property tax increase sparked criticism before Apopka's budget workshop even began. But as the discussion unfolded, Mayor Nick Nesta steered the conversation toward a smaller increase and a larger question: how should the city pay for years of deferred infrastructure needs? more
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Analysis: Apopka's new commission is redefining growth — and testing the limits of Florida law
Apopka's City Commission campaigned on slowing growth and prioritizing infrastructure over development. Two months into its term, a series of high-profile votes suggests it's doing exactly that—even as Florida law makes it increasingly difficult to deny compliant projects. more
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Marsha Summersill (right) files to run for Orange County Commission/District 2 with Department of Elections official Dan Helm (left).
Marsha Summersill says personal experience shapes her vision for Orange County's future
Orange County Commission District 2 candidate Marsha Summersill says her experiences growing up in Apopka, working in child protection, and practicing family law have shaped both her career and her approach to public service. In a wide-ranging interview with The Apopka Voice, she discusses growth, infrastructure, housing affordability, homelessness, South Apopka and the proposed property tax amendment on Florida's November ballot. more
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State Rep. Doug Bankson says affordability remains the defining issue facing House District 39 as he seeks another term representing Apopka and northwest Orange County.
Doug Bankson makes affordability the centerpiece of his bid for another House term
State Rep. Doug Bankson says affordability remains the defining issue facing House District 39 as he seeks another term representing Apopka and northwest Orange County. In a wide-ranging interview, Bankson outlined his positions on property tax reform, insurance, housing, healthcare, education, and the accomplishments he believes have prepared him for another two years in Tallahassee. more
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In his first run for public office, Orlando Health physician Dr. Jarod Fox says his experience in medicine has shaped his approach to tackling Florida's biggest challenges, from health care access to housing affordability. The Democratic candidate also discusses education, growth, infrastructure, and why he believes local governments should retain more decision-making authority.
Dr. Jarod Fox enters House District 39 race with a physician's perspective and focus on affordability
In his first run for public office, Orlando Health physician Dr. Jarod Fox says his experience in medicine has shaped his approach to tackling Florida's biggest challenges, from health care access to housing affordability. The Democratic candidate also discusses education, growth, infrastructure, and why he believes local governments should retain more decision-making authority. more
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Orange County Commissioner Mayra Uribe has announced her candidacy for Orange County mayor ahead of the August 18 primary election. Uribe, who has represented District 3 since 2018, says her campaign will focus on affordable housing, transportation improvements, job creation, and responsible growth.
Mayra Uribe launches campaign for Orange County Mayor
Orange County Commissioner Mayra Uribe has announced her candidacy for Orange County mayor ahead of the August 18 primary election. Uribe, who has represented District 3 since 2018, says her campaign will focus on affordable housing, transportation improvements, job creation, and responsible growth. more
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