Moore Russell and Messina Advance to Orange County Mayoral Runoff

Tiffany Moore Russell, the Orange County clerk of courts, and businessman Chris Messina will advance to a November 3 runoff election for the Orange County mayoral seat. The primary election held on August 18 resulted in no candidate securing a majority of the vote.

Unofficial results from all 263 precincts place Moore Russell in first with 53,009 votes, or 32 percent. Messina followed in second with 45,882 votes, representing 28 percent of the total. Former U.S. Representative Stephanie Murphy finished third with 43,555 votes, while Orange County Commissioner Mayra Uribe finished fourth with 24,396 votes.

The runoff will determine the successor to term-limited Mayor Jerry Demings. The reported primary totals did not include outstanding absentee ballots.