Central Florida News
Former Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy Joins Crowded Race for Orange County Mayor
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) — Former U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy officially announced her candidacy for Orange County Mayor in a video posted to her social media platforms, marking the beginning of what’s expected to be one of Central Florida’s most closely watched and competitive political races.
Murphy, a Democrat who represented Florida’s 7th Congressional District from 2017 to 2023, enters a race that’s already filling up ahead of the November 2026 election, as current Mayor Jerry Demings is term-limited. She made history as the first Vietnamese American woman elected to Congress. Before her time in office, Murphy served as a national security specialist in the office of the U.S. Secretary of Defense.
A Crowded Field of Candidates Forms
Murphy joins a growing list of contenders for Orange County’s top elected position. The declared field currently includes entrepreneur Chris Messina, Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell, and Orange County Commissioner Mayra Uribe.
Murphy’s Campaign Message and Priorities
In her campaign launch video, Murphy emphasized her bipartisan record in Congress and her private sector business experience as key assets she intends to bring to county government.
“Just like you, I’ve got skin in the game, and I’ll work every day to make Orange County the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” Murphy said.
She outlined several policy priorities for her campaign:
Expanding affordable housing for working families
Strengthening public safety and community policing
Investing in education and youth programs
Enhancing county services
Diversifying Orange County’s economy by attracting new industries while continuing to support Central Florida’s tourism-driven economy
As of this report, however, official Orange County election records show Murphy has not yet formally filed her candidacy.
US Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) served on the House select committee to investigate the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Photo: Stephanie Murphy
National Spotlight Expected
Murphy’s campaign is likely to draw national attention, not only because of her congressional background but also her role on the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol.
During her time in Congress, Murphy was part of the committee examining the actions of former President Donald Trump and his supporters in the 2021 Capitol riot. Several Florida and Orlando-based Trump supporters were arrested, sentenced, and later pardoned by Trump, the current presdent.
Given Murphy’s involvement in that investigation, her mayoral bid could attract scrutiny and commentary from Trump allies and conservative media outlets, positioning the race as a potential flashpoint in Florida’s political landscape heading into 2026.
Other Potential Candidates
Last month, former Congresswoman Val Demings announced she would not run for her husband’s job as Orange County Mayor, leaving the field wide open for other potential candidates. As Florida National News reported months ago, several names have been floated as possible contenders.
Among those mentioned are former Orange County Commissioners Emily Bonilla and Scott Boyd, as well as former Orange County Property Appraiser Rick Singh, who transformed his county office into a nationally and globally recognized leader. Singh’s annual State of Orange County Real Estate conference consistently drew more than a thousand attendees.
Stay connected to Florida National News for continuing coverage of the 2026 Orange County elections and local political developments.
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J Willie David, III contributed to this report. He can be reached at News@FloridaNationalNews.com
Central Florida News
Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride Launch New Pop-Up Bar for 2026 Kickoff to Soccer Events
Central Florida News
Lift Orlando and Valencia College Launch Free-Tuition Scholarship for Jones High Graduates
By Dr. Jessica Henlon | Education Contributor for Florida National News
On January 7, 2026, Valencia College and Lift Orlando announced the launch of the Lift Scholars program, offering full tuition and fee coverage at Valencia for every graduate of Jones High School’s Class of 2026 through 2029. Whether pursuing an associate degree or short-term technical certificate, students will now have the opportunity to earn credentials without the burden of tuition.
Lift Orlando CEO Eddy Moratin called the initiative a commitment to removing obstacles: “Cost should never stand in the way of a student’s future” (Valencia College, 2026). Valencia President, Dr. Kathleen Plinske, noted that the program builds on the success of Osceola County’s Prosper initiative and affirmed that “the lives of hundreds of Jones students and their families will be transformed by today’s news” (Valencia College, 2026). Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez described the scholarship as “an extraordinary gift” that “opens doors” for students who might have otherwise seen college as out of reach (Valencia College, 2026).
The announcement was met with tears, cheers, and celebration. Perhaps no moment captured the joy more vividly than when OCPS District 5 Board member and Jones High alumna Vicki-Elaine Felder took the mic, pointing to students proclaiming: “You get a scholarship, and you get a scholarship!” On social media, she shared her pride with fellow alumni, calling the news a “wonderful opportunity for my Alma Mater JHS🧡💚🐅🎉🥳🙌🏾.”
Building on Proven Promise Programs
The Lift Scholars model joins a national movement of place-based Promise scholarships. Since Michigan’s Kalamazoo Promise launched in 2005, more than 400 similar programs have emerged nationwide. These scholarships have shown powerful results: Bartik et al. (2021) found recipients were significantly more likely to enroll in and complete college compared to similar students without aid.
Closer to home, Osceola County’s Prosper program has enrolled over 10,000 students since its launch in 2022 and helped more than 1,100 earn associate degrees through Valencia (Mead, 2025). The initiative raised Osceola’s college-going rate from one of Florida’s lowest to among its highest, a compelling model for Lift Scholars’ potential (Valencia College, 2026).
Cost Is Still the Biggest Barrier
Research consistently affirms that financial strain is the top barrier to college enrollment. A Gallup–Lumina Foundation survey found that 85% of adults who never enrolled or who left college early cited tuition and fees as a major factor (Carrasco, 2024). Removing those costs measurably boosts participation.
Even modest scholarship programs have demonstrated impact. A multi-state study by Mayer et al. (2015) showed that performance-based aid increased both persistence and five-year graduation rates. More recently, Berlanga and Corti (2025) found that scholarship recipients earned higher GPAs and graduated at significantly greater rates than peers.
A Personal Lens: Support Must Follow Access
My doctoral research explored how financial support, when paired with meaningful engagement, drives student persistence. I interviewed first-generation online learners who described how virtual co-curricular experiences boosted their motivation, belonging, and academic follow-through (Henlon, 2025). Financial access opens the door, but relationships, visibility, and mentorship sustain the journey.
A Gift That Multiplies
For Jones High families, this is more than a scholarship. It’s a public affirmation that their children’s futures matter. It’s also a community investment with long-term dividends. As Dr. Vazquez noted, this program will empower students “to pursue their goals with confidence” (Valencia College, 2026).
When students are relieved of tuition burdens, they gain freedom to explore careers in healthcare, logistics, education, or advanced manufacturing. To dream, to plan, and to persist. And when communities like Orlando come together to send a bold message of hope, everyone benefits.
About the Author: Dr. Jessica Henlon holds a Ph.D. in Psychology with a specialization in Education. She is an Education Contributor for Florida National News. Dr. Henlon can be reached at Education@FloridaNationalNews.com or book.jessicahenlon@gmail.com.
