From Staff Reports
In Summary:
George Oliver III, a multi-term Ocoee city commissioner and Navy veteran, is launching a bid for Orange County Commission District 2, saying he wants to bring more resources and visibility to West Orange County cities. The district includes Apopka, Ocoee, Tangerine, and Zellwood, along with several unincorporated communities. Oliver enters a field that already includes Marsha Summersill and former Florida House member Kamia Brown, with qualifying set to begin in June ahead of the August 18 election.
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The race for Orange County Commission District 2 is gaining momentum as Ocoee City Commissioner George Oliver III prepares to formally enter the contest, positioning himself as an advocate for West Orange County cities, he says, that have lacked attention and resources at the county level.
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Oliver will officially announce his candidacy on Thursday, February 19, from 11 am to 1 pm at the GLG Hub Podcast Studio inside West Oaks Mall. The event, open to the public, will include remarks about his vision for the district and media availability following the announcement.
District 2 includes Apopka, Ocoee, Tangerine, and Zellwood, as well as the census-designated communities of Clarcona, Lockhart, and Paradise Heights.
The nonpartisan primary election is on August 18. If no candidate reaches a majority, the top two candidates advance to a runoff on the November ballot.
Oliver, first elected to the Ocoee City Commission in 2018, told Vox Populi earlier this year that he wants to bring “more visibility, resources, and funding” into West Orange County communities. He has argued that cities such as Apopka and Ocoee have not received adequate county support in recent years and says he would serve as an advocate for all five municipalities within District 2.
He has also emphasized balancing development pressures with preservation in rural areas such as Tangerine and Zellwood, where residents have expressed concerns about growth and the preservation of a small-town character.
Born in Tarpon Springs and raised in Atlanta, Oliver has lived in Ocoee for more than two decades. A U.S. Navy veteran, he holds a business degree and an MBA from the University of Phoenix and an associate’s degree from Valencia College. His background includes work in business, substitute teaching, and nonprofit service.
Oliver is not alone in the District 2 race. Apopka attorney and longtime child-welfare advocate Marsha Summersill has filed to run, and Kamia Brown, a former member of the Florida House of Representatives representing District 45 from 2016 to 2022, is also seeking the seat.
Candidates for county commission may qualify either by paying a $4,948.81 fee or collecting 1,046 petition signatures, equal to 1 percent of the district’s voters. County commissioners serve full-time and earn an annual salary of $123,720.
Qualifying for the August election opens June 8, leaving time for additional candidates to enter what is shaping up to be a closely watched contest in West Orange County.
Key Points:
- George Oliver III will announce his candidacy on February 19 at West Oaks Mall.
- District 2 includes Ocoee, Apopka, Tangerine, Zellwood, and nearby unincorporated areas.
- Oliver says he wants to bring more resources and advocacy to West Orange County cities.
- The race also includes Marsha Summersill and former state Rep. Kamia Brown.
- The nonpartisan election is scheduled for August 18, with qualifying beginning June 8.
