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, Nov. 3 is the general election, where all registered voters will choose Florida’s next governor, along with a U.S. Senator, statewide cabinet members, U.S. House representatives, Florida state legislators, and various county and city officials. Voters will also decide on three statewide constitutional amendments.
[ELECTION 2026: Make sure you’re eligible to vote|How to vote by mail|Election Myths]
Everything you need to know in order to vote in the November election, including how to vote by mail, vote early, and vote on Election Day, can be found in our Election 2026 section HERE.
Orange County mayor
Unlike most counties in Central Florida, Orange County has a dedicated strong mayor who oversees day-to-day operations in government. In addition to leading meetings, managing the county’s 8,000 employees, and overseeing the county’s multi-billion-dollar budget, the mayor is also the face of the county at regional boards for transportation, the airport, tourism and other growth issues.
The mayoral race is a nonpartisan election, which means all voters can vote in the election, regardless of party affiliation.
Since none of the four candidates in the August election got more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters — Chris Messina and Tiffany Moore Russell — moved onto the November election with a runoff.
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 compiled the candidate responses for the Orange County mayoral race, emailing and calling the candidates over several weeks.
You can see the full Orlando Sentinel Voting Guide HERE.
Chris Messina
WEBSITE: www.chrismessina.com/
Occupation: Businessman
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: Low median wages stifle economic opportunity for many Orange County citizens. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data ranks Greater Orlando as #49/50 of the 50 largest metro areas in the US, with a median wage of $45,410 in 2024. We’ll address this by diversifying our local economy, with a focus on attracting High Tech/Space Tech businesses, to bring a range of great jobs to complement those we have now. A centerpiece of our Space Tech recruitment efforts will be to bring the first military academy in the South – The Space Force Academy- to Orange County. The Space Force Academy alone will generate a minimum of $1B in local economic activity.
YOUR NUMBER 2 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: We need to keep our kids safe; they are our future! As one indicator of the scale of the attacks on our children, leaders affiliated with organizations such as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children say that Greater Orlando is #3 in the country in child sex trafficking. The USF Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Lab 2024 State Report estimates that there were 100,000 trafficked children in FL, with Orange County in the top group. In addition, there is a rise in large group teen crime, such as the April 2026 “Icon Park Takeover.” Our approach to keeping our children safe will be multifaceted. We’ll focus on every environment that our children find themselves in. This includes getting rid of environmental toxins, providing more sports opportunities and playing fields, and sensibly regulating e-bike use. Above all, we will focus on fostering a culture of responsibility, accountability, and opportunity. A major initiative which we plan to launch is our Orange County Works program. This provides a subsidized trade school education to every qualified citizen in Orange County who wants one. Eligibility will start junior year in High School and run through middle age, addressing the local shortage of qualified trades workers, while providing a hopeful path to those feeling stuck in a “dead-end” job. After finding a trade job, the recipient will have 5 or 10 years to pay ½ of the subsidies back. This will help keep the program evergreen.
YOUR NUMBER 3 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: We need to get rid of waste, fraud & bureaucracy in County government. That way we can invest where needed- such as better transportation & affordable housing – without raising taxes (& potentially while cutting taxes, if the ballot initiative to reduce homesteaded taxes passes.) We’ll utilize a forensic audit team, zero-based budgeting, and fiscal discipline to cut $200M/ year in programs which are unnecessary, inefficient, or both.
FOR CHALLENGERS AND OPEN SEATS: Why do you deserve to be elected in this race? My combination of Experience, Education & Vision is ideal for the role of Orange County Mayor:
Experience:
Building high-tech businesses, trade associations & foundations that have cumulatively created thousands of great jobs
Solving problems with technology
Community service – Vice Chair- Orange County Watch; volunteer OC High School Football Coach; Big Brother; Special Needs Ministry founder.
Education: MBA, Harvard; Master’s in City & Regional Planning (Rotary Fellow)
Vision:
Bring the SpaceForce Academy to Orange County, lead OC to be the US center for SpaceTech.
Fund a Trade school education (Orange County Works) for every OC citizen who wants one.
Transform the Lynx system using technology to right-size it, making it a more reliable/efficient point-to-point system.
Revitalize our blighted Strip malls, create vibrant housing (including affordable), commercial & residential centers.
Partner with the City of Orlando & local builders to develop Church Street into a mega-sports entertainment complex, including e-sports, & giving local residents an equity stake.
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?
Bringing in additional great jobs. “Affordability” is mainly a function of earnings ability.
Facilitate educational paths, especially in the trades, which provide opportunities for economic advancement.
Cutting the per capita cost imposed by local government on its residents.
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 Yes to lower property taxes by increasing the Homestead exemption and am encouraging everyone to vote accordingly. The total from taxes on homesteaded properties is 2.5% of Orange County’s budget, assuming no growth. The impact of the proposed amendment on Orange County’s budget is likely to be less than a 2% reduction, again, assuming no growth. With growth, Orange County budget revenues will be neutral to positive even if this amendment takes effect. Any shortfall will be addressed by economic growth, combined with fiscal discipline. It’s important to note that non-homesteaded residential and commercial properties are both larger County ad valorem revenue categories than all homesteaded properties.
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? Although this issue is largely addressed at a state vs. a county level, there are a number of important considerations. First, I don’t believe that hyper-scale data centers are right for Florida, especially because of the risks to our water supply. Second, I believe that the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) should discontinue incentives for inefficient large-scale utility solar fields & wind turbines and instead encourage clean coal and small-scale nuclear to provide stable base load power. In addition, FPSC should incentivize investments in commercial & residential rooftop solar by mandating net metering (1 for 1 utility bill credits) and cash payments for the net energy those installations send back to the grid.
What do you think is the biggest environmental issue your government should address in Florida? We need to reduce pollution across the board- water, air & land- starting with threats to the Florida Aquifer. That’s why I oppose hyper-scale data centers in Florida generally and Orange County specifically. These hyper-scale centers are currently cooled by massive amounts of water. That water is chemically treated with glycols, phosphates, nitrates, biocides, and sodium hydroxide, among other additives, all of which will end up back in our water supply.
Tiffany Moore Russell
WEBSITE: https://tiffanyformayor.com/
Occupation: Current Orange County clerk of courts
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: Housing.
Orange County families, seniors, teachers, first responders, and young professionals are struggling with rising housing costs. I will expand workforce and affordable housing through public-private partnerships, preserve existing affordable housing, encourage mixed-income development, and coordinate with our municipalities to increase housing options while protecting neighborhoods. Housing solutions must also be paired with transportation and infrastructure investments to keep communities connected and affordable.
YOUR NUMBER 2 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Managing Growth & Transportation.
Orange County continues to grow rapidly, and our infrastructure must keep pace. I will prioritize smart, responsible growth by ensuring roads, stormwater are considered before approving new development. We must invest strategically while preserving our quality of life and protecting rural and environmentally sensitive areas. Furthermore, we must prioritize solutions to address our transportation deficiencies. Orange County needs a dedicated funding source to address a multi-modal transportation plan for the future.
YOUR NUMBER 3 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Economic Prosperity. Residents deserve a county government that is transparent, fiscally responsible, and focused on delivering results. I will support workforce development, access to opportunities for small businesses, and economic opportunities that create good-paying jobs while maintaining responsible budgeting. My experience managing a large constitutional office and serving on the County Commission has prepared me to lead efficiently and responsibly.
FOR CHALLENGERS AND OPEN SEATS: Why do you deserve to be elected in this race? I deserve to be the next Orange County Mayor because I care about the people of Orange County, not special interests. I have dedicated my career to serving the people of Orange County. As an Orange County Commissioner for eight years and as Clerk of Courts for more than twelve years, I have managed large budgets, led complex organizations, and worked collaboratively to solve community challenges. I understand county government because I’ve served in it, and I have a proven record of transparency, fiscal responsibility, and delivering results. I’m running to bring experienced leadership that listens, builds consensus, and puts Orange County residents first. As a former County Commissioner, I secured funding to improve infrastructure in the Little Egypt Community. As Clerk of Court, I raised the starting pay for Clerks from $12 to $17 while also making budget cuts. I understand that Orange County wants a mayor committed to this County and bringing about transformative change.
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 requires a comprehensive approach. At the county level, we can increase the supply of workforce and affordable housing, reduce unnecessary barriers to responsible development, preserve existing affordable housing, and support transportation investments that lower commuting costs. We should also continue attracting high-quality jobs, invest in workforce training, and ensure county government operates efficiently to maximize taxpayer dollars. While many affordability challenges require state and federal action, Orange County can take meaningful steps to reduce costs for working families.
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 would vote No on the constitutional amendment to reduce property taxes because I believe it will hinder local governments from providing quality services uniquely designed for that community. Any proposal affecting property taxes should be carefully evaluated based on its long-term impact on essential local services. Property taxes fund public safety, parks, transportation, libraries, and other critical county services. While I understand the financial pressures facing homeowners, any reduction in revenue must be accompanied by a sustainable funding plan that does not shift costs to residents through higher fees or reduce the quality of services they rely on. My priority is protecting taxpayers while ensuring Orange County remains financially strong. As the Orange County Clerk, I have been faced with cutting my budget three times within one fiscal year. I was successful in modernizing the processes and services in the Clerk’s Office and avoided any furloughs or layoffs. It will always be my priority to explore opportunities for efficiencies while protecting the quality of services to citizens and county employees before presenting any tax or fee proposal.
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 regulators should ensure that infrastructure investments are planned responsibly, rates remain fair and transparent, and costs are allocated appropriately. As Florida’s energy demands grow, regulators should balance reliability, affordability, and long-term sustainability while encouraging energy efficiency and thoughtful planning. Residents and small businesses should not bear an unfair share of costs resulting from significant new industrial demand.
What do you think is the biggest environmental issue your government should address in Florida? Protecting our water resources while managing growth is one of the most important environmental challenges facing Orange County. We must protect our lakes, wetlands, springs, and drinking water through responsible land-use decisions, conservation, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable development practices. As our community grows, we have a responsibility to preserve natural resources and open spaces while ensuring future generations enjoy the same quality of life that makes Orange County such a special place.
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