Former Florida Rep. Stephanie Murphy announced Wednesday that she is running for mayor in Florida’s Orange County, several years after she retired from Congress.
Murphy, a Democrat, represented parts of Orange County for Florida’s 7th Congressional District from 2017 to 2023 before choosing not to run for reelection as her district was redrawn. Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) now represents her former district.
“I was honored to represent parts of Orange County in Congress. I’m ready to bring my results-driven approach to our community so we can grow smarter, make life more affordable, and build a better future,” she said in a post on X announcing her candidacy.
I’m Stephanie Murphy—and I’m running for Mayor of Orange County, Florida.
I was honored to represent parts of Orange County in Congress. I’m ready to bring my results-driven approach to our community so we can grow smarter, make life more affordable, and build a better future. pic.twitter.com/DcWTKZlYJs
— Stephanie Murphy (@Murphy4OCMayor) July 9, 2025
The former House Democrat defeated incumbent John Mica for the congressional seat in 2016, after the Republican had served 12 consecutive terms.
Murphy said in an interview with Fox 35 Orlando that she wants to make the area more livable and affordable.
“I’m raising my family in this community, and I want to make it the most livable, safe, affordable community that’s out there,” Murphy said. “Right now, Orlando is experiencing significant growth, and we have to be able to manage that growth to make it work for everybody here.”
Current Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, the husband of former Rep. Val Demings, is term-limited after 2026. Val Demings said last month that she would not run.
Murphy says she will build more housing in the area and prioritize well-paying jobs for residents and transportation.
“I think we have to increase the number of housing units that we have and that takes taking a look at the regulations and making it easier for housing units to be on the market,” she said. “You also have to address well-paying jobs. People have to be able to afford their living expenses. Anybody working 40 hours a week shouldn’t have to skimp to make ends meet. I think we have to address both sides of that.”
Murphy will run against fellow Democrats, Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell and Orange County Commissioner Mayra Uribe. Republican and Tech entrepreneur Chris Messina is also running for the position.
FLORIDA LEADS STATES IN CARRYING OUT TRUMP’S IMMIGRATION MISSION
Florida will hold its primaries on Aug 18, 2026. Whoever the Democratic candidate in Orange County is will likely win in the blue area.
Orange County is the fifth-most populous county in Florida, and its county seat is Orlando. The county elects a mayor, akin to the more common county executive.