Candidates gather for Orlando hobnob ahead of primary
ORLANDO, Fla. —
The Aug. 18 2026 primary is just around the corner. In fact, early voting in Orange County begins Aug. 3.
Wednesday night, the candidates and their teams were out in full force in downtown Orlando.
There was plenty of action inside this 2026 political hobnob at Eola View in downtown Orlando. It’s where the Orlando Chamber of Commerce invited you to meet the candidates, including those running for Orange County mayor.
“We need good jobs, we need real transportation, and we’ve got to stop talking about affordable housing and make it happen,” Mayra Urbe said.
Chris Messina is also running for Orange County mayor.
WESH 2’s Gail Paschall-Brown asked, “Why should I vote for Chris Messina?”
“Because we bring in new vision to Orange County and we’re not another recycled politician,” he replied.
Stephanie Murphy, another mayoral candidate for Orange County, said, “We need to have housing that’s affordable for working families. We need to have less congestion, and we have to have better-paying jobs.”
For Orange County Commissioner District 2, George Oliver.
“I’ve been elected to my seat four times for my district. I also have the background of compliance, I understand numbers, auditing. I’m also a veteran, a Navy veteran,” he said.
District 7 is one of the newly created districts, with 13 people running, including Shannon Currie.
“I bring the experience. I’m the only candidate in this race that has real legislative experience. I served two terms as senior staff in the Florida Senate,” Currie said.
Beryl Thompson-McClary is also running for District 7.
“As an attorney, it is my position — as an advocate, as a citizen — to bring respect to all neighborhoods.”
There are plenty of candidates running for Ninth Circuit judge.
“I am the only candidate who is board certified in any area of law. I’m board certified in marital and family. I have state and federal trial experience,” Christie Lou Mitchell said. She’s running for Group 2.
Temika Hampton Johnson is running for Ninth Circuit judge, Group 1.
“I’ve served as a police officer in the United States Army Reserves, so I’ve enforced the law. I’ve been a probation and parole officer, so I’ve supervised citizens and I started my legal career as a public defender,” Johnson said.
For Group 5 Ninth Circuit judge is candidate Kafi Kennedy.
“I’ve handled over 4,000 cases — yes, I know — over 40 jury trials, criminal law, family law, I’ve been a state attorney and a public defender,” Kennedy said.
Asima Azam is running for Ninth Circuit judge, Group 5.
“I’ve been practicing law for 23 years and what I like to say on the campaign trail is that my experience is in business and real estate,” Azam said.
And for the Clerk of Courts office, Roberta Walton Johnson. Gail asked, “Why should I vote for you?”
Her response was, “You should vote for me because, right now, I am the only licensed attorney running to be your next Orange County Clerk of Court.”