MASON, WESH TWO NEWS. AN ORLANDO CITY COMMISSIONER FORMALLY FILED HIS CANDIDACY TO RUN FOR MAYOR TODAY. DISTRICT TWO COMMISSIONER TONY ORTIZ FILED THE PAPERWORK THIS MORNING. CURRENT ORLANDO MAYOR BUDDY DYER ANNOUNCED HE WOULD NOT SEEK REELECTION NEXT YEAR. ORTIZ SAYS HE SPENT MUCH OF HIS LIFE SUPPORTING AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE CITY’S SUCCESS. TODAY IS NOT ABOUT MAKING NOISE. TODAY IS ABOUT MOVING FORWARD WITH PURPOSE, RESPONSIBILITY AND A GENUINE COMMITMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY O
City Commissioner Tony Ortiz files candidacy to run for Orlando mayor
Updated: 5:00 PM EDT May 12, 2026
Orlando District 2 Commissioner Tony Ortiz has officially filed to run for city mayor. Ortiz — who described himself in a news release Tuesday as a U.S. Marine veteran, former Orlando police officer, business professional, and longtime city commissioner — is the fourth candidate to enter the race, following the earlier filings of Elliot Kahana, Abdelnasser Lutfi, and Florida Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, according to campaign finance records. “Listening to people is what led me to make this decision, but listening also comes with responsibility. It means working every day to help solve problems, create opportunity, and improve people’s quality of life,” Ortiz said in a statement. “The City of Orlando is growing rapidly, and the decisions we make today will shape the future and quality of life of our community for years and generations to come. (…) To me, quality of life is not a political phrase. It is everyday life. It is whether people feel secure, represented, included, and optimistic about their future in this city.” Ortiz’s statement described progress in economics and community development throughout his district, mentioning more than $11 million in private investment and more than 120 jobs created within commercial corridors such as Gateway Orlando and Curry Ford West. The statement goes on to promise “leadership focused not only on expansion, but on strengthening the everyday quality of life of residents across every neighborhood,” framing it as a need for Orlando’s continued growth. “Today is not about making noise. It is about moving forward with purpose, responsibility, and a genuine commitment to the people of the City of Orlando,” Ortiz said.The next Orlando mayoral election will take place in 2027. Buddy Dyer, the city’s current and longest-serving mayor, confirmed last year that he would not run for re-election. >>Video Below: State Rep. Anna Eskamani announces run for Orlando mayor
ORLANDO, Fla. —
Orlando District 2 Commissioner Tony Ortiz has officially filed to run for city mayor.
Ortiz — who described himself in a news release Tuesday as a U.S. Marine veteran, former Orlando police officer, business professional, and longtime city commissioner — is the fourth candidate to enter the race, following the earlier filings of Elliot Kahana, Abdelnasser Lutfi, and Florida Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, according to campaign finance records.
“Listening to people is what led me to make this decision, but listening also comes with responsibility. It means working every day to help solve problems, create opportunity, and improve people’s quality of life,” Ortiz said in a statement. “The City of Orlando is growing rapidly, and the decisions we make today will shape the future and quality of life of our community for years and generations to come. (…) To me, quality of life is not a political phrase. It is everyday life. It is whether people feel secure, represented, included, and optimistic about their future in this city.”
Ortiz’s statement described progress in economics and community development throughout his district, mentioning more than $11 million in private investment and more than 120 jobs created within commercial corridors such as Gateway Orlando and Curry Ford West.
The statement goes on to promise “leadership focused not only on expansion, but on strengthening the everyday quality of life of residents across every neighborhood,” framing it as a need for Orlando’s continued growth.
“Today is not about making noise. It is about moving forward with purpose, responsibility, and a genuine commitment to the people of the City of Orlando,” Ortiz said.
The next Orlando mayoral election will take place in 2027. Buddy Dyer, the city’s current and longest-serving mayor, confirmed last year that he would not run for re-election.
>>Video Below: State Rep. Anna Eskamani announces run for Orlando mayor