ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. \u2013 The race for Orange County Commission District 2 is heading to a November runoff, with former state Rep. Kamia Brown facing incumbent Commissioner Mike Crabb.<\/p>\n
The contest is one of several local races taking place under Orange County\u2019s newly redrawn commission districts. Voters approved expanding the commission from six districts to eight in 2024, and the new boundaries will be used for the 2026 election cycle.<\/p>\n
District 2 now encompasses much of northwest Orange County, including Apopka, Clarcona, Lockhart and Ocoee, among other communities.<\/p>\n
News 6 Morning Anchor Lauren Melendez moderated a forum with both candidates, hosted by League of Women Voters of Orange County<\/a> to discuss some of the issues facing the district.<\/p>\n Organizer Kay Hudson says Thursday\u2019s discussion kicked off a series of in-depth forums in the group\u2019s effort to make information accessible and palatable for voters ahead of election day.<\/p>\n Wekiva River Flow a Shared Priority<\/p>\n One issue where Brown and Crabb agree is protecting the Wekiva River basin.<\/p>\n The candidates say water quality and the impact of growth on the region\u2019s water resources should be priorities as the district continues to develop rapidly. <\/p>\n \u201cWater quality is important, it is a public health priority.\u201d said Brown.<\/p>\n [RELATED: District 2 candidates discuss what issues are important to Orange County]<\/p>\n Crabb pointed specifically to efforts to address septic systems and sewer infrastructure in the Wekiva River basin.<\/p>\n The Wekiva River and its surrounding basin have long been a focus of local environmental and growth-management efforts.<\/a><\/p>\n Traffic and Housing Also Major Issues<\/p>\n The candidates offered different approaches to some of the district\u2019s other challenges.<\/p>\n Crabb said traffic is a major concern and pointed to the need for faster implementation of traffic technology and improvements<\/a>.<\/p>\n While Brown didn\u2019t disagree, she highlighted the need for more education around existing transit programs for seniors and other specific groups.<\/p>\n Brown also emphasized workforce opportunities and housing, saying more housing should be located near public transportation so residents have more options for getting to work without having to choose between \u201cgas or rent.\u201d<\/p>\n