By Menico Reid, Interning Correspondent for The Apopka Voice
In Summary:
Orange County voters will choose new leadership in the clerk of courts and county mayor’s offices, while District 2 voters will decide between incumbent Commissioner Mike Crabb and former state Rep. Kamia Brown. The guide also examines Doug Bankson’s race against Jarod Fox in Florida House District 39 and the three-way contest to succeed Daniel Webster in U.S. House District 11. Candidate profiles cover experience, policy priorities, endorsements and campaign finances, with district races appearing only on eligible residents’ ballots.
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The road from Apopka to Washington begins with a few marks on a ballot.
Orange County voters will decide several countywide and district races Tuesday, Nov. 3, including contests for clerk of courts, county mayor, County Commission District 2, Florida House District 39 and U.S. House District 11. This guide examines the candidates, their priorities and how the races reached the November ballot. District contests will appear only on the ballots of voters who live within those districts.
Orange County Clerk of Courts
Democrat Roberta Walton Johnson faces no-party-affiliation candidate Terrell Thomas in the race to succeed Tiffany Moore Russell, who is running for Orange County mayor. Both candidates bring experience within the clerk’s office, with Johnson emphasizing legal and administrative leadership and Thomas highlighting court technology, modernization and customer service.
Johnson advanced after winning the Aug. 18 Democratic primary against Rick Singh and Maribel Gomez Cordero, whose name remained on the ballot after she withdrew. Thomas is competing without a party nomination.
Terrell Thomas
Thomas has served the residents of Orange County since he was 19 years old. His campaign emphasizes nearly two decades working inside the clerk’s office, followed by work with courts and justice organizations on technology and modernization. He points to relationships with judges, court administrators, attorneys, law enforcement leaders and other government professionals as preparation for the position.
His listed endorsements include former Orange County Clerk of Courts Chief Information Officer Dr. Reps Gallusha, former Chief Administration Officer Howard N. Tipton, and former Apopka Vice Mayor Kyle Becker. The campaign-finance figures compiled for this report list Thomas with $27,445 in contributions and $25,632 in expenditures.
“As a No Party Affiliation candidate, my commitment is to serve all residents of Orange County, regardless of political affiliation. This office belongs to the people, and my focus is on delivering exceptional service, accountability, transparency, and responsible stewardship,” said Thomas.
Campaign website: thomasforclerk.com.
Roberta Walton Johnson
Johnson has served in leadership positions within the Orange County Clerk of Courts for more than a decade, including as general counsel and director of legislative affairs. Her campaign emphasizes expanding access to the courts, improving customer service, maintaining accurate public records and strengthening civic education.
Her endorsements include Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, Tiffany Moore Russell and U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost. The campaign-finance figures compiled for this report list Johnson with $65,268 in contributions and $47,144 in expenditures.
“Orange County deserves a competent, experienced, and accountable Clerk of Court who understands the responsibility of safeguarding the gateway to our courts and who is prepared to lead on Day One,” said Johnson.
Campaign website: voteroberta.com.
Orange County Mayor
Tiffany Moore Russell and Chris Messina advanced to a November runoff after finishing first and second, respectively, in the four-candidate August election. Neither received a majority, eliminating fellow candidates Stephanie Murphy and Mayra Uribe and setting up a contest to succeed outgoing Mayor Jerry Demings.
The mayoral election is nonpartisan, meaning party labels do not appear beside candidates’ names on the ballot. That does not mean the candidates have no party affiliation: Russell is a Democrat and Messina is a Republican. Their campaigns offer different approaches to housing affordability, economic development, transportation and county spending.
Chris Messina
Messina brings more than 30 years of experience in business and technology to his campaign. He says he wants to attract new businesses while helping existing employers grow, with an emphasis on higher-paying technology jobs and lower taxes.
His proposals include expanding vocational and workforce training and converting underused commercial properties into housing. Messina also connects his approach to homelessness to his experience living on the street as a teenager.
His listed endorsements include the Florida Republican Assembly of Orange County, former Orange County Commissioners Pete Clarke and Clarence Hoenstine, and the Conservative Ministers of Orange County. The campaign-finance figures compiled for this report list Messina with $133,139 in contributions and $118,413 in expenditures.
“I have had a variety of life experiences that have shaped me in understanding the challenges our residents experience- among them affordability, homelessness, fatherlessness, and disability,” said Messina.
Campaign website: chrismessina.com.
Tiffany Moore Russell
Russell’s campaign centers on affordable living, reliable transportation, economic opportunity and accessible county government. Her priorities include expanding housing options, managing growth, improving infrastructure, investing in public safety and supporting small businesses.
She also proposes expanding parks, recreation and the arts while diversifying the county’s job opportunities. Her listed endorsements include U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, state Sen. LaVon Bracy Davis and Orange County Commissioner Mike Scott.
The campaign-finance figures compiled for this report list Russell with $521,930 in contributions and $514,404 in expenditures.
“This weekend is about traveling across Orange County, meeting residents where they are and hearing directly from them about the future of our community. That is the kind of Mayor I will be — present, accessible and focused on delivering for the people of Orange County,” said Russell.
Campaign website: tiffanyformayor.com.
Orange County Commission District 2
Incumbent Commissioner Mike Crabb faces former state Rep. Kamia Brown in a runoff for the District 2 seat. Brown finished first and Crabb second in August, advancing from a five-candidate field that also included Wes Hodge, George Oliver III and Marsha Summersill.
Crabb is seeking election to the seat he holds by appointment, while Brown is seeking a return to elected office after serving in the Florida House. This is a nonpartisan contest, although Crabb is a Republican and Brown is a Democrat. Housing costs, traffic, infrastructure and growth have emerged as central issues in the race.
Mike Crabb
Crabb points to three decades as a deputy sheriff and his work with two Orange County mayors as preparation for the commission. He emphasizes public safety and infrastructure, saying county spending should give priority to essential responsibilities.
His platform includes reducing housing costs and taxes, improving traffic technology, supporting first responders and requiring development to pay for its impacts while protecting neighborhoods. Crabb says he is concentrating on door-to-door canvassing and face-to-face conversations before Election Day.
Crabb’s endorsements include Orange County Sheriff John Mina, the West Orange Political Alliance and the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police. The campaign-finance figures compiled for this report list Crabb with $53,890 in contributions and $33,691 in expenditures.
“I want to try to bring level-headed common sense to the board,” said Crabb.
Campaign website: ilikemikecrabb.com.
Kamia Brown
Brown emphasizes her Orange County roots and legislative experience, including her work on maternal health care and educational opportunities. She says conversations with district residents have reinforced the importance of addressing housing costs, traffic, and infrastructure.
Brown promises to expand affordable housing options, improve road conditions and neighborhood traffic safety, protect natural resources, and ensure transparency and community input in county decisions. Her platform also includes expanding transportation options and securing state and federal infrastructure funding.
The campaign-finance figures compiled for this report list Brown with $87,181 in contributions and $65,004 in expenditures.
“I’m incredibly grateful to the voters who put us in first place in August, and I’m working hard every day to earn their support again in November. I know this community, I know how to get things done, and I’m ready to deliver for District 2,” said Brown.
Campaign website: kamiafororangecounty.com.
Florida House District 39
Republican incumbent Doug Bankson faces Democratic challenger Dr. Jarod Fox in a contest that pairs an Apopka pastor and former city commissioner with an infectious disease physician. Bankson defeated Carlos Johary Sr. in the Republican primary, while Fox had no Democratic primary opponent.
Bankson is campaigning on his legislative experience and proposals to reduce housing and insurance costs. Fox is emphasizing health care affordability, public education and household expenses, giving voters competing approaches to several of the same financial pressures.
Doug Bankson
Bankson credits his position as a pastor for his motivation to become a politician. According to Bankson, politicians are supposed to be servants of the people.
He emphasizes improving homeownership opportunities for younger residents and reducing property insurance costs. He also supports prioritizing first responders and working with nonprofit organizations to address community needs.
Before Election Day, Bankson says he plans to continue knocking on doors and meeting voters across the political spectrum. His listed endorsements include the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police and the Conservative Ministers of Orange County.
The campaign-finance figures compiled for this report list Bankson with $204,749 in contributions and $37,193 in expenditures.
“The bigger picture is the American dream for the next generation,” said Bankson. “We have to bring down their costs (homeowners) with insurance.”
Campaign website: dougbankson.com.
Dr. Jarod Fox
As an infectious disease physician, Fox prioritizes affordable health care. He connects that issue to household finances, including the pressure rising medical costs place on teachers and other workers.
Fox also advocates increased support for public education, lower housing costs and changes to property insurance. His economic priorities include investing in residents, supporting local businesses and expanding access to good-paying jobs.
“We need to actually tackle property insurance,” said Fox. His listed endorsements include U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, state Sen. LaVon Bracy Davis and the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida.
The campaign-finance figures compiled for this report list Fox with $100,296 in contributions and $135,009 in expenditures.
“The main thing is getting out to as many voters as possible,” said Fox.
Campaign website: foxforfl.com.
U.S. House District 11
Republican Joe Strada, Democrat James Pericola and Libertarian Ralph Groves are competing to succeed outgoing U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster. The open-seat contest gives the district a choice among a businessman, an attorney and a defense analyst.
Strada won the Republican nomination from a field that included Carey Baker, Tim Wilkins, Nizam Razack and Ivette Palomo. Pericola defeated Royal Webster and Dan Williams in the Democratic primary; Groves is the Libertarian nominee.
James Pericola
Pericola’s campaign emphasizes protecting Social Security and Medicare, preserving access to health insurance through the Affordable Care Act and using federal resources to address housing costs. He also supports middle-class tax relief, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and ending partisan gerrymandering.
He has made candidate accessibility a campaign issue, criticizing Strada’s participation in interviews and public forums. Pericola pointed to his appearance on “The Patrick Carr Show” as an example of his willingness to take questions.
“MAGA is upset with Strada for refusing to show up and take tough questions,” Pericola said, offering his assessment of the criticism directed at his opponent.
His listed endorsements include the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida, Reproductive Freedom for All and former Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison. The campaign-finance figures compiled for this report list Pericola with $132,323 in contributions and $170,408 in expenditures.
Campaign website: jamespericola.com.
Joe Strada
Strada presents himself as a businessman bringing private-sector experience to Washington. His campaign points to his background in the skilled trades and building a Central Florida business as preparation to address jobs, spending, and government accountability.
His platform includes congressional term limits, investigations into congressional insider trading, and a balanced federal budget. He also emphasizes border security and reducing government spending.
His listed endorsements include Orange County Sheriff John Mina, State Attorney Bill Gladson, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and state Rep. Doug Bankson.
The Apopka Voice attempted to contact Strada for comment, but he did not respond by the time of publication.
Campaign website: votestrada.com.
Ralph Groves
Groves is running as the Libertarian alternative to the two major-party nominees. An Ocoee resident with a background in defense analysis, he emphasizes constitutional liberties and reducing the federal government’s reach.
His campaign platform includes protecting Social Security and Medicare, reducing federal taxes, and defending freedom of speech and religion. His candidacy gives voters a third option in the District 11 general election.
Campaign website: grovesforcongress.com.
How to vote
Early voting is underway in Orange County and continues through Sunday, Nov. 1, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Locations are available at voteorangefl.gov/vote-early.
Election Day polls will be open Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters must use their assigned Election Day polling place, which they can locate at voteorangefl.gov/find-your-polling-place.
Voters can find ballot-request information and other election assistance through the Orange County Supervisor of Elections.
Key Points:
- Terrell Thomas and Roberta Walton Johnson are competing to succeed Tiffany Moore Russell as Orange County clerk of courts.
- Russell and Chris Messina face off in the runoff for Orange County mayor, offering different approaches to affordability, growth and county services.
- Mike Crabb and Kamia Brown are competing for the District 2 County Commission seat, with housing, traffic and infrastructure among their priorities.
- Republican incumbent Doug Bankson faces Democratic challenger Jarod Fox in Florida House District 39.
- Republican Joe Strada, Democrat James Pericola, and Libertarian Ralph Groves are seeking the open U.S. House District 11 seat.
