Tiffany Moore Russell wins Orange County mayor’s race, makes history as first Black woman to hold office

Orange County voters elected Tiffany Moore Russell as the county’s next mayor Tuesday, making her the sixth person to hold the office and the first Black woman to serve as Orange County mayor.

Moore Russell, the Orange County clerk of courts, defeated tech entrepreneur Chris Messina. Outgoing Mayor Jerry Demings is term-limited.

She will now lead one of Florida’s largest county governments and oversee Orange County’s multibillion-dollar budget.

The race went to a runoff after neither candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote in the August primary.

Moore Russell has held elected office in Orange County for years, and has been a trailblazer before.

She was first elected in 2006 as the youngest Orange County commissioner in history, then later became clerk of courts.

“To know that as the first African-American female to serve as Orange County mayor, the sixth mayor of this county is exciting,” she said. “It sends a message to the next generation that if you set your goals, it’s possible if you stay focused, you stay dedicated. And it’s going to be difficult, but stay committed to the work and you can also achieve your goals.”

She highlighted her experience managing the clerk’s office budget during the campaign, saying it prepared her to take office ready to work “day one.”

Messina, from Winter Park, had argued Orange County needs a “21st century vision” and has criticized Moore Russell as “another career politician.”

In the end, Moore Russell said the experience won out.

Though her name may be remembered, she said the victory belongs to her supporters.

A key dividing line in the campaign was Amendment 3, the proposed property tax cut on Tuesday’s ballot that voters approved.

Moore Russell opposed it, citing county projections that it could reduce next year’s county budget by about $165 million.

Messina had supported the amendment and said those projections do not adequately account for Orange County’s growth.

“Our whole focus is on literally economic empowerment, lifting everyone up, cutting costs, especially the costs that government imposes on people, looking at solving problems with technology instead of taxes,” he said on Tuesday morning.

The contest is nonpartisan, but Moore Russell is a registered Democrat and Messina is a registered Republican.

After the results came in, Messina said he hoped Moore Russell’s administration would help residents facing financial pressure.

“She’s obviously going to put together her own team and move into her own direction,” he said. “I just hope it’s a direction that empowers and lifts up the average person in Orange County, because the average person is struggling.”

Moore Russell said she plans to serve all Orange County residents, including those who did not vote for her. She also credited grassroots campaigning, including knocking on doors and visiting churches.

Moore Russell said her first order of business will be assembling a transition team, including a subcommittee focused on county finances and how to absorb potential budget impacts from Amendment 3 without cutting essential services.