Mike Crabb
From Staff Reports
In Summary:
Ninth Judicial Circuit Judge Andrew Bain administered the oath of office to Mike Crabb before his first Orange County Commission meeting. Crabb, a recently retired Orange County sheriff’s deputy and Ocoee small-business owner, was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to complete former Commissioner Christine Moore’s term. Crabb will face Kamia Brown in the November 3 runoff for a full four-year term representing District 2.
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For nearly four months, Orange County Commission District 2 had communities to represent but no commissioner in the seat. That changed Tuesday when Mike Crabb was sworn in—and immediately began the work of turning a gubernatorial appointment into a partnership with Apopka and the rest of northwest Orange County.
Crabb joined the Board of County Commissioners shortly before its Tuesday meeting at the Orange County Administration Center.
Apopka Mayor Nick Nesta attended the ceremony and welcomed the opportunity to work with District 2’s new representative. Nesta said Crabb’s background prepared him to serve a district that includes Apopka, Ocoee, Eatonville, Tangerine, Zellwood, Lockhart and Clarcona.
“Commissioner Crabb brings a lifetime of service to this new role as a husband, father, grandfather, small business owner and recently retired Orange County Sheriff’s deputy,” Nesta said. “His commitment to public safety and family will serve our region well.”
Crabb retired after a 30-year career as an Orange County sheriff’s deputy. He also spent six years as a reserve deputy and owns The Shirt Shop USA in Ocoee.
For Nesta, Crabb’s arrival also creates a new opportunity to strengthen Apopka’s relationship with county government.
“Apopka’s success is closely connected to the partnerships we build throughout Orange County, and I look forward to working alongside Commissioner Crabb to make sure our city continues to have a strong voice and a bright future,” he said.
Crabb said he would work on behalf of the district’s cities and unincorporated communities.
“I promise you that I will be a good commissioner for our district, and I will work hard,” Crabb said. “I will do my very best, and we will continue to try to move District 2 forward.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Crabb on July 31 to finish the term of former Commissioner Christine Moore. The seat had been without a commissioner since April 27, following Moore’s resignation to campaign for mayor of Apopka.
Crabb’s appointment allows him to serve through the remainder of the current term, but it does not settle who will represent District 2 for the next four years.
Former state representative Kamia Brown and Crabb emerged from a five-candidate nonpartisan primary August 18. Brown led the field with 7,869 votes (32.24%), while Crabb received 6,205 votes (25.42%). With neither candidate winning a majority, they advanced to a November 3 runoff.
The winner is scheduled to begin the new term on December 8.
Crabb’s first trip to the District 2 seat came through an appointment from Tallahassee. Whether he remains there will now be decided closer to home—by the voters he pledged Tuesday to represent.
Key Points:
- Mike Crabb was sworn in Tuesday as Orange County’s District 2 commissioner.
- Crabb fills the vacancy created when Christine Moore resigned to run for Apopka mayor.
- Apopka Mayor Nick Nesta said partnerships with Orange County are important to the city’s future.
- Crabb recently retired after a 30-year career as an Orange County sheriff’s deputy.
- Crabb and Kamia Brown will compete in the November 3 runoff for a full term.
