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Rick Singh, Roberta Walton Johnson Face Off in Orange County Clerk Race After Maribel Gómez Cordero Withdraws
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — The race for Orange County Clerk of Courts has entered a new chapter following Orange County Commissioner Maribel Gómez Cordero’s withdrawal, leaving voters with a head-to-head contest between former Orange County Property Appraiser Rick Singh and Orange County Clerk of Courts General Counsel Roberta Walton Johnson.
With incumbent Clerk Tiffany Moore Russell running for Orange County mayor, voters will elect a new clerk for the first time in more than a decade. The race now presents a choice between two candidates with different backgrounds but significant public-sector experience.
While recent headlines have focused on lawsuits and campaign controversies, both candidates are expected to spend the final weeks making their case on qualifications, leadership and their vision for one of Orange County’s most important constitutional offices.
An Open Constitutional Office
The Orange County Clerk of Courts serves as clerk to the courts and County Commission, custodian of public records, county recorder and chief financial officer for numerous court-related functions. The office oversees billions of dollars in transactions annually while providing services to residents, businesses and the judicial system.
With the field narrowed to two candidates, voters will compare experience, leadership and each candidate’s ability to manage a large countywide office.
Rick Singh: Former Countywide Constitutional Officer
Rick Singh previously served as Orange County Property Appraiser, leading one of Florida’s largest property appraisal offices.
Throughout his tenure, Singh emphasized technological modernization, operational efficiency, transparency and customer service.
His campaign highlights:
- Executive leadership of a countywide constitutional office.
- Experience managing large budgets and personnel.
- Technology modernization initiatives.
- Increased public access to government services.
- Fiscal accountability and operational efficiency.
Singh argues his experience managing a constitutional office prepares him to immediately lead the Clerk’s Office.
Roberta Walton Johnson: Clerk’s Office Legal Leader
Roberta Walton Johnson serves as General Counsel for the Orange County Clerk of Courts, where she advises the office on legal matters, compliance, public records and government operations.
Her campaign emphasizes:
- Extensive institutional knowledge.
- Legal and administrative experience.
- Continuity of leadership.
- Public records compliance.
- Customer service and operational stability.
Johnson says her experience inside the Clerk’s Office positions her to continue serving residents with minimal disruption while building on existing operations.
Candidate Comparison
| Category | Rick Singh | Roberta Walton Johnson |
|---|---|---|
| Current/Public Position | Former Orange County Property Appraiser | General Counsel, Orange County Clerk of Courts |
| Executive Leadership | Led county constitutional office | Senior legal executive within Clerk’s Office |
| Countywide Election Experience | Yes | First countywide campaign |
| Government Experience | Constitutional office administration | Legal counsel and government compliance |
| Campaign Focus | Modernization, accountability, efficiency | Continuity, legal expertise, public service |
Campaign Priorities
Both candidates have emphasized many of the same core responsibilities expected of the next Clerk, including:
- Improving customer service.
- Modernizing technology.
- Protecting public records.
- Fiscal responsibility.
- Efficient court operations.
- Transparency and accountability.
- Expanding public access to Clerk services.
Their campaigns differ primarily in how they believe those goals should be achieved and which experiences best prepare them for the position.
Moving Beyond Campaign Controversies
Like several Orange County races this election cycle, the Clerk’s race has attracted attention beyond policy issues.
Singh has faced scrutiny over litigation and campaign disputes stemming from previous elections, while Walton Johnson has worked to address questions about a criminal case from more than 30 years ago.
During the campaign, Orange County sheriff candidate Bill Moore has repeatedly criticized Walton Johnson over her involvement as a young adult in a Georgia scheme involving stolen tax refund checks. Johnson did not serve prison time and has described the incident as a mistake she made as a naïve 20-year-old that carried lasting consequences. She says the experience changed the direction of her life, leading her to earn a law degree, build a successful legal career and ultimately serve as General Counsel for the Orange County Clerk of Courts.
Both candidates now appear focused on ensuring those controversies do not overshadow the central question facing voters: who is best prepared to manage one of Orange County’s largest constitutional offices.
Connecting With Voters Countywide
Unlike district races, candidates for Orange County Clerk of Courts must earn support from voters across the entire county.
Political observers say success will likely depend on each campaign’s ability to demonstrate:
- Leadership.
- Integrity.
- Administrative experience.
- Fiscal management.
- Transparency.
- Accessibility.
- A clear vision for improving public service.
Community forums, debates and voter outreach will provide opportunities for Singh and Walton Johnson to explain how their backgrounds prepare them to lead the Clerk’s Office.
Decision Before Voters
Following Gómez Cordero’s withdrawal, Orange County voters now face a clear choice between two candidates with different paths to public service.
Rick Singh brings executive experience leading a countywide constitutional office and has centered his campaign on modernization, efficiency and accountability.
Roberta Walton Johnson offers decades of legal experience within the Clerk’s Office, emphasizing continuity, institutional knowledge and her belief that personal redemption and professional achievement have prepared her for elected leadership.
As Election Day approaches, both candidates will seek to persuade voters that their experience, leadership and vision make them the best choice to succeed Tiffany Moore Russell as Orange County’s next Clerk of Courts.
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