Orange County mayoral hopefuls talk with voters at The People's Hob Nob & Straw Poll in Pine Hills

BY Sarah Winkelmann Orange County

PUBLISHED 6:30 PM ET Jul. 10, 2026

ORLANDO, Fla. — With the Aug. 18 primary election just over a month away, Orange County voters are preparing to decide several local races that will appear on their ballots, including the race for Orange County mayor.

Several election-related events have taken place across Central Florida, including a Hob Nob & Straw Poll in Pine Hills this week. The event gave candidates a chance to speak with voters and gave voters an opportunity to share their concerns.

“I am looking for the ones that is really going to do what we need to have done in our community now,” Orange County voter David Rucker said.

Voters at the event said they are focused on affordability, housing, public transportation and new opportunities.

“We are looking for services that will enhance our community, that will bring businesses to our community, health services, recreation areas,” said Cheryl Soriano, an Orange County voter.

Growth and development were also major concerns for voters in Orange County.

“When development absolutely runs over the people that are supposed to represent our interests, we need a voice,” Orange County voter Ned Bowers said.

Four candidates are running to become the next Orange County mayor: former U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Russell, Orange County District 3 Commissioner Mayra Uribe and businessman Chris Messina. The candidates were asked about their positions on building data centers.

Murphy said, “I think data centers should be evaluated the same way any other development opportunity or challenge is to this community. Does it make things cheaper for the people who live here? Does it create better-paying jobs for the people who live here?”

Russell said, “So I think it is very important for local government to make a decision about what we want for data centers before we are preempted by the state. I think the key is making sure we acknowledge they are going to be needed, but where do they belong? Do they need to be next to our neighborhoods, and what is going to be the impact on our water quality and the power grid?”

Uribe said, “It is bad. It is bad for us. When you look at us environmentally, we are so sensitive, and we have to be very cautious at how development moves forward here because it goes hand in hand with transportation, when you look at data centers and our scarce resources of water, land, rural protection.”

Messina said, “Well, I think AI is like any new technology. It is powerful; it is important; it has pluses and minuses. I oppose putting data centers here in Florida in particular because of the impact on our aquifers.”

No matter the issues important to them, voters still have time to research the candidates before Election Day.

“You know, I have some homework to do, and my homework will be finalized on the 18th (of August),” Soriano said.