Wilson wins District 1 commission race

All eyes have been watching for the results of the contentious race for the District 1 seat on the Orange County Board of County Commissioners. Incumbent Nicole Wilson was vying to keep her elected position, and challenger Austin Arthur was hoping to unseat her. After all the votes were tallied, Wilson was declared the winner.

According to the Supervisor of Elections’ unofficial election results Tuesday, Nov. 5, Wilson won the election with 52,115 votes (52.07%), compared to Arthur’s 47,977 votes (47.93%).

“I am extremely grateful to the people in District 1 and to Orange County at large for showing up to vote,” Wilson said. “Our turnout today was so critical, not just for my race, but also for the charter amendments. I'm grateful that I get to get up tomorrow morning and get to go back to work, and I am super grateful to be able to see some of the things I know are important to people get across the finish line.

“The good thing about being a representative is that it's not any one item, it is the priorities of the district that I get to focus on," she said. “One of the things that was loud and clear, and continues to be loud and clear, is that people are very concerned about our growth patterns ... and the idea of implementing ordinances and comprehensive plan amendments that are a benefit, if we do grow and when we do grow. Protecting the rural area is critical to people, so continuing to do that and making sure we continue to focus our investments on quality of life, on our parks, our green places and our trails. I can't wait to get back to work on making sure that all those things continue to advance.

“There were a lot of people who really felt strongly about Austin, and I want to tell everybody ... that I want to support and continue to represent all of District 1," Wilson said. "It's OK if you did not vote for me; I will continue to support and continue to advocate for all the residents of District 1. Austin was kind enough to reach out tonight, and being able to open that dialogue and make sure that the representation includes everybody is really important to me."

“While tonight's outcome wasn't what we hoped for, I extend my sincere support to Commissioner Wilson as she begins her new term,” Arthur said. “I've always believed that our greatest strength lies in coming together in partnership and being kind to one another. Our shared love for this community and our desire to see it prosper will always be stronger than any political disagreement. I truly believe our best days lie ahead, and my work inside the community continues just as it has for years — not in opposition to the commissioner, but in a welcomed partnership.”

Courtesy photo

ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD

In the District 4 race for a position on the Orange County School Board, Anne Douglas had the most votes with 49,004 (58.68%), compared to Kyle Goudy’s 34,510 votes (41.32%).

"I am deeply honored and overjoyed to have won this election,” Douglas said. “Joining this incredible School Board is a privilege, and I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and work for our students, teachers and community. I want to give my heartfelt thanks to God for His guidance throughout this journey. I am profoundly grateful to the organizations that stood by me — The Florida Democratic Party, the Florida Executive Committee, Ruth’s List, the Rainbow Democrats, Florida Rising, CTA and many others. Your support has been the backbone of this campaign — thank you! I would also like to extend special thanks to the individuals who have been instrumental in my success: Vivian Lyte Johnson, president of the Democratic Women’s Club of West Orange, who offered unwavering support; my exceptional campaign manager, Jeremy Rodriguez, who guided me every step of the way; Scott Hottenstein and Stephany Vanos for their invaluable contributions; Congressman Maxwell Frost; Commissioner Nicole Wilson; State Rep. Rita Harris; my friend and canvassing partner Terri Falbo; Senator Torres; Ms. Carmen Torres; and so many others who believed in me. Finally, I am eternally grateful to my wonderful family, who were the true foundation of this campaign, lifting me up every day. Thank you all for your belief, encouragement and dedication. Together, we’re about to make a real difference.” 

"This has been an incredibly humbling process, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude,” Goudy said. "There are so many people to thank: my family, friends and the countless volunteers. I will forever be grateful for all the great people I met along the way. Congratulations to Anne, I wish her nothing but the best."

SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS

Karen Castor Dentel garnered 177,493 votes (40.09%), while Sunshine Linda-Marie Grund received 96,125 votes (21.71%), Dan Helm brought in 86,860 votes (19.62%), and Wes Hodge received 82,216 (18.57%).

FLORIDA STATE SENATE

In District 13, Keith Truenow won with 41,237 votes (53.25%), as opposed to Stephanie L. Dukes’ 36,201 votes (46.75%).

FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

In District 45, Carolina Amesty garnered 36,508 votes (50.54%), while Leonard Spencer received 35,732 votes (49.46%).

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

In Florida District 11, Daniel Webster took the election with 80,857 votes (51.62%), while Barbie Harden Hall received 75,786 votes (48.38%).

STATE ATTORNEY

In the Ninth Judicial District, Monique Worrell garnered 303,399 votes (57.52%), while Andrew Bain received 224,067 votes (42.48%).

SCHOOL SALES SURTAX REFERENDUM

The School Sales Surtax Referendum passed with 71.67% of the voters in favor of continuing the one-half cent sales surtax. This will fund the construction, reconstruction and improvement of school facilities, and land acquisition, land improvement and design and engineering costs … and the cost of retrofitting and providing technology implementation, beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and ending Dec. 31, 2035, shared proportionately with charter schools as legally required, with continued oversight by an independent citizens' committee.

COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENTS

All 10 Orange County Charter amendments passed:

• No. 1 revises Orange County’s charter initiative petition process.

• No. 2 requires the continued existence of Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

• No. 3 provides that in elections for charter offices, write-in candidates shall not count toward the number of qualified candidates necessary to trigger an election at the August primary.

• No. 4 requires the adoption of a fiscal sustainability analysis tool.

• No. 5 establishes an office of the county attorney.

• No. 6 increases the number of County Commission districts.

• No. 7 creates a Transportation Mobility Advisory Commission.

• No. 8 defines “County Protected Lands” as county owned (in whole or in part), operated or maintained public parks and recreation areas, and environmentally sensitive lands acquired by the county for environmental, ecological or recreational purposes; and requiring that any County Commission action authorizing the disposition of county protected lands or change to another use must be approved by a majority-plus-one County Commission vote.

• No. 9 establishes a rural area (unincorporated lands located outside the county’s Urban Service Area, municipal joint planning areas, growth centers, Innovation Way Overlay, Horizon West Villages and Boggy Creek Expansion Area on the effective date) where county comprehensive plan amendments increasing density or intensity, and ordinances removing lands from the rural area, must be approved by a majority-plus-one vote of the entire membership of the County Commission.

• No. 10 establishes a process for voluntary municipal annexations and land use in rural areas.