As part of our commitment to providing you with what you need to make an informed decision in the 2026 elections, News 6 joined with the News Collaborative of Central Florida to present the Voting Central Florida 2026 Voter’s Guide.
Tuesday, Aug. 18 is the Florida Statewide Primary election, a mix of party primaries and nonpartisan local elections, such as school board races, judicial races, and county commission races in some counties.
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[ELECTION 2026: Make sure you’re eligible to vote|How to vote by mail|Election Myths]
Florida has a closed primary system, which means only members of a political party may vote in party primaries. To be eligible, a voter had to identify with that party by July 20.
However, judicial races and local races, for the most part, are open to all registered voters, regardless of political party.
Everything you need to know in order to vote in the Aug. 18 Statewide Primary, including how to vote by mail, vote early, and vote on Election Day, can be found in our Election 2026 section HERE.
Orange County Commission District 2
Orange County’s commissioners are elected in nonpartisan races, which means all voters can vote in the election, regardless of party affiliation.
Since there are four candidates in the race, the top vote-getter must get more than 50% of the vote (50%+1) in order to win outright. Otherwise, the top two candidates will go to a runoff in November.
The county added two new commission seats for the 2026 election, which means the districts the commissioners represent have changed.
County Commission District 2 encompasses northwest Orange County, including Apopka and Ocoee, going south of State Road 408. You can see a map of the area HERE.
The News Collaborative of Central Florida created a list of common questions to ask the candidates. Questionnaires were sent to all candidates.
Not all of the candidates responded. Where candidates did not respond, we have filled out the information to the best of our abilities.
Our partners at the Orlando Sentinel and Vox Populi compiled the candidate responses for the Commission District 2 race, emailing and calling the candidates over several weeks.
You can see the full Orlando Sentinel Voting Guide HERE.
Kamia Brown
WEBSITE: www.kamiafororangecounty.com/
Top issues in your race
If elected, what are the THREE most pressing problems you want to address, and what do you suggest to solve them? In the boxes below, please list each issue and how you will address them:
YOUR NUMBER 1 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Streamlining permitting services/delays - Lengthy permitting and inspection timelines create unnecessary costs and delays for businesses, so I would support streamlining processes, improving technology systems, increasing accountability, and setting measurable turnaround standards.
YOUR NUMBER 2 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Affordable workforce housing and retainment — I support workforce and attainable housing initiatives, stronger workforce development partnerships, and policies that help businesses attract and retain employees. Orange County must create an environment where businesses can grow efficiently while residents can continue to afford to live and work here.
YOUR NUMBER 3 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Transportation and infrastructure improvements -- Transportation congestion and infrastructure demands also continue to impact economic growth, which is why I support strategic investments in roads, mobility, and long-term infrastructure planning that keeps pace with development.
FOR CHALLENGERS AND OPEN SEATS: Why do you deserve to be elected in this race? I’m running for Orange County Commission because I believe our community deserves leadership that is accessible, accountable, and focused on delivering real results. As our county continues to grow, we need someone who can balance economic opportunity with protecting the neighborhoods, natural resources, and quality of life that make Orange County a great place to live. My priorities are straightforward: making housing more attainable, improving infrastructure and transportation, supporting small businesses, streamlining the permitting process, and investing in workforce development so residents have access to good-paying careers. I believe every decision should be guided by what’s best for our community, not by politics or special interests. What sets me apart is my commitment to listening to residents and bringing people together to solve problems. I understand that county government works best when it is transparent, fiscally responsible, and responsive to the people it serves. I would be honored to earn your support and the opportunity to be a commissioner who leads with integrity, works collaboratively, and delivers meaningful results for every resident of District 2.
According to a University of North Florida poll, Floridians say affordability is their top issue. What are your solutions for dealing with Florida’s affordability issue? One of my top priorities is making Orange County more affordable for working families, young professionals, seniors, and longtime residents. I support expanding affordable and workforce housing by encouraging development near jobs and transit while partnering with responsible developers to create more attainable housing opportunities. We need smart, community-focused solutions that help people live where they work and build a stronger, more inclusive Orange County.
Will you vote YES or NO on the constitutional amendment to slash property taxes and explain your position. How would you replace lost revenue – fees and/or service reductions? I will vote no on slashing property taxes. Property taxes provide a significant portion of the funding that Orange County relies on to deliver essential services, from public safety and transportation to parks, libraries, and programs that support families and seniors. If that revenue were no longer available, we would need to have an honest, community-driven conversation about how to responsibly fund those services without leaving residents behind. My first priority would be making sure every taxpayer dollar is being spent wisely. We should regularly evaluate county programs, eliminate waste and duplication where it exists, and ensure our investments are producing meaningful results for the people we serve. At the same time, we must diversify our local economy by supporting small businesses, attracting quality jobs, and encouraging responsible economic development that grows our tax base without sacrificing our quality of life. We should also maximize opportunities to secure state and federal funding, strengthen public-private partnerships where appropriate, and explore innovative funding solutions that don’t place an unfair burden on working families. Any significant change to how Orange County is funded should be guided by transparency, public input, and a commitment to equity. As County Commissioner, I will always work to protect the services our residents depend on while ensuring our county remains fiscally responsible, sustainable, and a place where every family has the opportunity to thrive.
Utility costs are rising for customers in Florida, and the proliferation of data centers is expected to exacerbate that issue. How should Florida’s utility regulators respond? Florida families are already paying too much for electricity, and we can’t let growing demand from large data centers drive those costs even higher. I believe the biggest energy users should pay their fair share instead of passing those costs on to homeowners and small businesses. Our utility regulators should put consumers first by demanding transparency, carefully reviewing major projects, and making sure any new investments actually benefit Floridians. We can support economic growth while still protecting working families from higher utility bills.
What do you think is the biggest environmental issue your government should address in Florida? I believe one of the biggest environmental challenges we face is managing growth responsibly while protecting the natural resources that make Florida unique. We have to safeguard our wetlands, waterways, and wildlife corridors because they’re essential to our quality of life, our economy, and our resilience during storms. That means making smart infrastructure investments, holding developers accountable, and ensuring growth doesn’t come at the expense of clean water and healthy communities. We can protect our environment while still supporting thoughtful economic development.
Mike Crabb
WEBSITE: ilikemikecrabb.com/
Top issues in your race
If elected, what are the THREE most pressing problems you want to address, and what do you suggest to solve them? In the boxes below, please list each issue and how you will address them:
YOUR NUMBER 1 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Public Safety- Champion Quality of Life by ensuring public safety is a priority.
YOUR NUMBER 2 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Infrastructure- Prioritize critical infrastructure projects, including water, wastewater, stormwater systems, and transitioning homes near the Wekiva Basin off septic tanks. Also, target roadway capacity for widening key lanes and improving highly congested intersections.
YOUR NUMBER 3 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Economic Affordability - Reduce wasteful spending and focus county tax dollars on essential duties—public safety and infrastructure. Create a business-friendly climate that will attract businesses with high-paying private sector jobs.
Why do you deserve to be elected in this race? My entire adult life has been dedicated to protecting and serving the residents and visitors of Orange County. This is where I plan to retire and I want Orange County to be as great in the future for everyone. This decision to run is not to start a political career; it’s about correcting some directions that I believe are off. I’m also running because I believe we need principled leadership and service-minded leaders. A 39-year marriage to Pamela, who is the Principal at a West Orange elementary school, and a 30-year career serve as powerful proxies for reliability, loyalty, and ethical stability—qualities I would bring to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners.
As the owner of The Shirt Shop USA in downtown Ocoee, I understand what it takes to balance a budget, meet a payroll, and manage a team. I carry that same responsibility into my role at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, where I manage personnel and section budget. Balance sheets, leading teams through life-and-death decisions, and managing complex public expectations have prepared me to hit the ground running. I bring a robust blend of private-sector business sense and public-safety leadership needed to serve as a County Commissioner.
According to a University of North Florida poll, Floridians say affordability is their top issue. What are your solutions for dealing with Florida’s affordability issue? My solution starts with fiscal responsibility. First, we will audit the county’s bloated budget to eliminate waste and redirect tax dollars back to core priorities: public safety and infrastructure. By streamlining government and capturing the organic revenue growth of a booming local economy, we can actually lower the tax burden on everyday citizens. Finally, we will build a business-friendly climate that attracts high-paying, private-sector jobs so local families can thrive, not just survive.
Will you vote YES or NO on the constitutional amendment to slash property taxes and explain your position. How would you replace lost revenue – fees and/or service reductions? I believe in a stable, conservative approach to property taxes and do not support disproportionately hiking commercial property taxes to offset residential gaps, as doing so harms job creation and small business growth. If residential property tax revenues drop, the county should prioritize balancing its bloated budget through rigorous audits, eliminating internal inefficiencies and prioritizing public safety and infrastructure.
Utility costs are rising for customers in Florida, and the proliferation of data centers is expected to exacerbate that issue. How should Florida’s utility regulators respond? The recently signed Senate Bill 484 addresses the core of this issue. By prohibiting utility companies from shifting the high electricity and infrastructure costs of data centers onto residential and small business customers, this legislation safeguards everyday Floridians from unfair rate hikes. It ensures that large-scale energy consumers pay their fair share, effectively protecting local families and small businesses.
What do you think is the biggest environmental issue your government should address in Florida? In Orange County, our most urgent priority must be funding critical infrastructure projects, specifically our water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. For District 2 in particular, a vital environmental and public health necessity is developing a viable plan to transition homes near the Wekiva Basin off septic tanks and onto centralized sewer systems.
Wes Hodge
WEBSITE: www.weshodgeoc.com/
Top issues in your race
If elected, what are the THREE most pressing problems you want to address, and what do you suggest to solve them? In the boxes below, please list each issue and how you will address them:
YOUR NUMBER 1 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Affordability is the top issue our residents are asking me to address. I have already done work to address our affordability crisis. As a member of the District 5 staff, I assisted Commissioner Emily Bonilla in drafting the 2022 Rent Stabilization ballot measure. The measure passed with nearly 60% support from Orange County voters, demonstrating our community’s desire for urgent action on housing affordability. This was never meant to be a permanent solution. It was intended to give renters a financial reprieve for 2-3 years while the rental market stabilized.
I support Orange County taking a more active role in creating housing opportunities, including public ownership and development of affordable and workforce housing. The reality is that one of the largest costs in housing development is land acquisition. Orange County holds a significant amount of land, and we should be exploring innovative ways to leverage that land to increase housing supply while maximizing public benefit. I believe we need to think more creatively about how we use county-owned property. For example, when constructing new facilities such as fire stations, community centers, or administrative buildings, we should evaluate opportunities to incorporate housing into those projects.
Around downtown and along transit corridors, county-owned parcels could support mixed-use developments that combine housing, parking, public services, and commercial space. By utilizing land the county already owns, we can significantly reduce development costs and create more attainable housing options for residents. I would support public-private partnerships to manage these communities, allowing the county to leverage private sector expertise while maintaining public goals around affordability and long-term community benefit. I strongly believe mixed-use, mixed-income communities produce the best outcomes for residents. They create opportunities for economic mobility, access to jobs, and stronger connections. Concentrating poverty through exclusively low-income housing developments has too often failed to deliver a positive outcome.
By creating communities that include a range of housing types and income levels, we can build better outcomes. We must also be intentional about where we build housing. New residential development should be located on or near multimodal transportation corridors, including bus rapid transit, SunRail, and other transit investments. Connecting housing to transportation reduces household costs, decreases traffic congestion, lowers emissions, improves air quality, and expands access to employment and educational opportunities. Housing and transportation planning must go hand in hand to create an affordable and prosperous Orange County.
YOUR NUMBER 2 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: The second biggest complaint I hear about is traffic. I believe we need to rethink how we fund and prioritize transportation investments. For too long, our residents have carried the costs of maintaining and expanding infrastructure that is heavily utilized by both residents and tourists.
Orange County has a shadow population of more than 220,000 tourists each day who use our roads and transit options, yet we as residents bear a disproportionate share of the burden for addressing these traffic needs. We should be working aggressively with our state partners to secure a fairer return on the gas tax dollars generated in Orange County while also ensuring that our local tourism economy contributes more directly to transportation solutions.
I believe we should pursue a more aggressive use of our Tourist Development Tax revenues and maximize opportunities to leverage the Orange County Convention Center as a transportation hub. We need our tourism industry to support transportation investments that benefit both visitors and residents. The continued success of our tourism economy depends on a transportation system that moves people efficiently, and tourism should help pay for the impacts it creates. We are currently losing hundreds of millions of dollars from the World Cup because we have such inadequate mass transit options. I support investing in a multimodal transportation network that gives residents real alternatives to sitting in traffic. That includes expanding and improving bus service, advancing bus rapid transit projects, supporting SunRail expansion, improving pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, and creating better connections between where people live, work, and play.
This has been proposed by Sunrise Movement Orlando and their STAR plan. Transportation planning needs to focus on moving people, not simply adding more pavement. Expanding reliable transit options reduces transportation costs. Affordability and transportation are directly linked to each other. By reducing car dependency, we can improve quality of life while creating a transportation system for the future which makes it more affordable for our residents. Orange County must better align transportation investments by and for tourists. By leveraging our TDT dollars, advocating for a fair share of gas tax funding, and investing in modern transit solutions, we can build a world-class system that works for residents, tourists, and businesses alike.
YOUR NUMBER 3 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: The third issue I am most frequently asked to address is unmanaged growth and sprawl. Addressing sprawl starts with respecting the will of Orange County voters and recognizing that our natural lands, rural communities, and agricultural areas are among our most valuable assets.
I will adamantly defend the voter-approved Rural Boundary, which serves as an important tool for protecting our critical wetlands, wildlife habitat, water resources, agricultural lands, and the overall quality of life that makes Orange County a desirable place to live. These areas serve as runoff and recharge areas for our stormwater. Hurricane Ian showed us in a very dramatic and expensive manner that we cannot continue mitigating and filling in wetlands for growth. I believe we must respect our rural settlements and ensure that growth does not undermine the character and history of these communities. Residents who chose to live in rural Orange County should not have to worry that unchecked development will fundamentally alter their communities or place additional strain on roads, infrastructure, and environmental resources.
Orange County made a commitment to protect these communities in the 1990s, it is our job to honor that commitment. Smart growth means focusing development where our infrastructure already exists. Keeping residents closer to jobs, services, and transportation options are essential for long-term community success and sustainability. Encouraging infill development and redevelopment within our Urban Service Area reduces the pressure to expand outward into environmentally sensitive lands and agricultural areas. I am hopeful for the expiration of Senate Bill 180 in 2027 and the opportunity to fully implement the goals and policies of Vision 2050.
Vision 2050 represents years of community input for our new comprehensive plan and provides a roadmap for managing growth in a way that balances economic opportunity, environmental protection, transportation planning, and quality of life. Vision 2050 provides the County with the ability to develop mixed-use projects around targeted growth sectors. For this to succeed, Orange County needs to adopt a long-term transit plan which adequately meshes well with Vision 2050. We all know that the growth is seemingly inevitable, but sprawl is a choice we make. By defending the Rural Boundary, protecting rural settlements, focusing development within existing growth areas, and implementing Vision 2050, we can accommodate these new residents in a responsible manner while preserving the environmental and community assets that make Orange County special.
FOR CHALLENGERS AND OPEN SEATS: Why do you deserve to be elected in this race? I bring a strong record of public service through my work as Chief of Staff to Orange County Commissioners Mayra Uribe and Dr. Kelly Martinez Semrad. In these leadership roles, I have been deeply involved in the day-to-day operations of county government while helping to shape long-term policy priorities that impact residents across Orange County. I have written and advanced numerous policies and proposed legislation addressing critical issues such as the Tourist Development Tax, housing affordability, immigration, transportation, and improvements to the county’s permitting processes. My work reflects a consistent focus on affordability, expanding transportation options, and combating urban sprawl. I have supported efforts to increase housing access and reduce cost burdens for families, while advocating for the use of TDT funding for transportation projects. I have worked to ensure that TDT dollars are more clearly accounted for and used to address our community priorities. I have also worked to bring community partners and county government together to address community issues as small as permitting to concerns as impactful as immigration. We must demand a commitment to efficiency, fairness, and transparency in local government. Through collaboration with community stakeholders, industry leaders, and public officials, I have built a reputation for delivering practical, results-driven solutions that strengthen communities and improve quality of life.
According to a University of North Florida poll, Floridians say affordability is their top issue. What are your solutions for dealing with Florida’s affordability issue? Please see the answer above listed as my top priority.
Will you vote YES or NO on the constitutional amendment to slash property taxes and explain your position. How would you replace lost revenue – fees and/or service reductions? NO. I strongly oppose efforts to eliminate or dramatically reduce property taxes because of the impact it would have on the essential services residents rely on every day. Property taxes fund public safety, corrections, parks, libraries, roads, stormwater management, code enforcement, animal services, mosquito control, and other services that keep our communities safe, attractive, and desirable. These investments directly contribute to quality of life and help maintain property values.
It is also important to acknowledge that renters are unlikely to see any meaningful benefit from this proposal. Instead, if local governments are forced to replace lost revenue through higher sales taxes, fees, or service cuts, renters could end up paying more while receiving no direct tax relief. Sales taxes are particularly concerning because they are regressive, placing a greater burden on those who can least afford it. Working families, seniors on fixed incomes, and lower-income residents spend a larger share of their income on taxable goods and services, meaning they would likely bear a disproportionate share of the cost.
Before voters consider a proposal of this magnitude, they deserve a clear understanding of how property tax dollars are used and an honest explanation of how billions in lost revenue would be replaced. My focus will be on improving transparency, accountability, and government efficiency. We should not be creating dramatic budget shortfalls that lead to higher costs or reduced services for Orange County residents to address minor inefficiencies.
Utility costs are rising for customers in Florida, and the proliferation of data centers is expected to exacerbate that issue. How should Florida’s utility regulators respond? Utility costs are already rising. The rapid growth of energy-intensive data centers across the country threatens to place even greater strain on our aquifer and electrical grid. Unfortunately, I have little confidence that Florida’s utility regulators will adequately protect our communities. Time and again, the commissions responsible for oversight have forced residents and small businesses bear the burden. Too often, these commissions are composed of political appointees from the very industries they are charged with regulating. Local governments must be proactive. Counties should use the tools available to them, including comprehensive planning, future land use designations, zoning, and the development review committee, to ensure data centers do not undermine community interests. I support the full ban on mega data centers in Orange County. We simply do not have the land, water, or capacity in the power grid to support them. We must also remain vigilant against efforts by special interests to attack local decision-making through preemption. I fully support Home Rule. The people of Florida should not be forced to subsidize corporate profits through higher utility bills and environmental destruction.
What do you think is the biggest environmental issue your government should address in Florida? The biggest environmental issue Orange County must address is unmanaged urban sprawl. For too long, Orange County’s growth has been measured by how quickly our cities and county can approve new development rather than how responsibly we can build communities that protect our natural resources, reduce infrastructure costs, and preserve our quality of life. As a County Commissioner, I will defend the voter-approved rural boundary and protect our rural settlements as critical tools for managing growth. These areas are not simply vacant land waiting for development. They provide flood protection, protect wetlands and wildlife habitat, support agriculture, preserve water resources, and help maintain the natural systems that make our communities more resilient to climate change. Orange County must prioritize smart growth by incentivizing infill development, revitalizing existing communities, and supporting greater density where infrastructure already exists.
I will also work to establish stronger legal protections for our conservation and mitigation lands. We cannot be using taxpayer money to purchase preservation lands and watch them be easily repurposed for toll roads that undermine the public investments made to protect them. Conservation investments must be defended.
George Oliver III
WEBSITE: georgeoliver3rd.com/
Mr. Oliver did not respond to requests from Vox Populi or the Orlando Sentinel.
Marsha Summersill
WEBSITE: https://www.marshaforflorida.com/
If elected, what are the THREE most pressing problems you want to address, and what do you suggest to solve them? In the boxes below, please list each issue and how you will address them:
YOUR NUMBER 1 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Housing Affordability and Cost of Living. Too many working families can no longer afford to live in the communities they helped build. As someone who spent nearly two decades working with children and families in crisis, I’ve seen how housing instability affects every part of a family’s life. I’ll support expanding affordable and workforce housing, encourage responsible development that includes infrastructure, preserve existing affordable housing, and ensure growth benefits the people who already call Orange County home.
YOUR NUMBER 2 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Protecting Our Environment and Quality of Life. Our clean water, wetlands, parks, and natural spaces are part of what makes Orange County special. I’ll support responsible growth that protects our drinking water, conserves environmentally sensitive lands, strengthens stormwater infrastructure, and increases resilience to flooding and severe weather. We don’t have to choose between economic growth and environmental stewardship; we can and must do both.
YOUR NUMBER 3 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Transportation and Infrastructure. Families deserve to spend more time at home and less time sitting in traffic. I’ll advocate for smart investments in roads, transit, sidewalks, and intersection improvements while making sure new development pays its fair share through impact fees. Transportation planning must keep pace with growth so we build communities that are connected, safe, and economically competitive.
FOR CHALLENGERS AND OPEN SEATS: Why do you deserve to be elected in this race? I’ve dedicated my career to protecting children and helping families navigate some of the hardest moments of their lives. I served as a child abuse investigator, attorney, and advocate, always putting people before politics. My decision to run is personal. When my brother lost his health insurance after becoming seriously ill, I saw firsthand how systems can fail good people. Losing him strengthened my commitment to public service. I’ll bring that same compassion, legal experience, and determination to the Orange County Commission, where every decision should put working families first.
According to a University of North Florida poll, Floridians say affordability is their top issue. What are your solutions for dealing with Florida’s affordability issue? Affordability starts with housing, but it also means addressing transportation costs, utility bills, wages, and access to opportunity. At the county level, I’ll work to increase the supply of affordable and workforce housing, require growth to pay for the infrastructure it demands, support small businesses and good-paying jobs, and invest in transportation options that reduce commuting costs. Families shouldn’t have to leave Orange County because they can no longer afford to live here.
Will you vote YES or NO on the constitutional amendment to slash property taxes and explain your position. How would you replace lost revenue – fees and/or service reductions? I support providing meaningful tax relief to homeowners, but I do not support a constitutional amendment that would dramatically reduce the primary source of funding for local governments without a realistic plan to replace it. Property taxes pay for essential services that families rely on every day, including law enforcement, fire rescue, parks, libraries, transportation, and infrastructure. Slashing that revenue would likely mean higher fees, cuts to critical services, or shifting the tax burden elsewhere. Instead of making promises that jeopardize local services, I support targeted tax relief, responsible budgeting, government efficiency, and requiring new growth to pay for the infrastructure it creates through appropriate impact fees, not asking existing residents to make up the difference.
Utility costs are rising for customers in Florida, and the proliferation of data centers is expected to exacerbate that issue. How should Florida’s utility regulators respond? Rising utility bills are putting even more pressure on families who are already struggling with the cost of housing, groceries, and insurance. Utility regulators should ensure those creating the greatest demand pay their fair share of infrastructure costs, while continuing to invest in a more reliable, efficient electric grid. We can support economic growth without shifting higher costs onto working families, and that balance should always be our priority.
Utility costs are rising for customers in Florida, and the proliferation of data centers is expected to exacerbate that issue. How should Florida’s utility regulators respond? Rising utility bills are putting even more pressure on families who are already struggling with the cost of housing, groceries, and insurance. Utility regulators should ensure those creating the greatest demand pay their fair share of infrastructure costs, while continuing to invest in a more reliable, efficient electric grid. We can support economic growth without shifting higher costs onto working families, and that balance should always be our priority.