Stephanie Murphy Enters 2026 Orange County Mayoral Race

Former U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, a Democrat and the first Vietnamese-American woman elected to Congress, has announced her candidacy for Orange County mayor in Florida, aiming to succeed term-limited Jerry Demings. Murphy, a former Blue Dog Coalition leader, emphasized her bipartisan and results-driven approach, as well as her experience in business and government. She pledged to tackle issues such as affordable housing, economic diversification, and smart growth as the county rapidly expands. Her opponents include Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell, Commissioner Mayra Uribe, and tech entrepreneur Chris Messina in this officially nonpartisan race. Murphy cited her service on the Jan. 6 Committee and her congressional record as evidence of her leadership. The race takes place as Orange County grows and Florida trends increasingly Republican statewide.