ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Roger Chapin won Tuesday night’s runoff election for the Orlando City Commission District 3 seat, defeating establishment-backed candidate Mira Tanna with 51.33% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the Orange County Supervisor of Elections. Chapin will become the district’s first new commissioner in nearly two decades, following the retirement of longtime incumbent Robert Stuart.
Chapin entered the runoff with a strong advantage, backed by several high-profile endorsements. His supporters included Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, outgoing District 3 Commissioner Robert Stuart, Orange County Sheriff John Mina, former opponents Chris Durant and Kimberly Kiss, local police and firefighter unions, the Orlando Sentinel editorial board, the Orlando Regional Realtors Association, and the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association.
Fundraising Edge and Name Recognition Boost Chapin
Chapin also benefited from a substantial fundraising lead. His campaign reported $293,000 in contributions—more than double Tanna’s $114,000. His name recognition as the son of former Orange County Mayor Linda Chapin further strengthened his visibility among voters.
The runoff followed a tight Nov. 4 general election in which Chapin and Tanna emerged from a five-candidate field separated by only 14 votes, with neither securing the required majority. That narrow margin set the stage for Tuesday’s decisive head-to-head contest.
District 3 includes Baldwin Park, Audubon Park, College Park, Rosemont, and several neighborhoods north of Colonial Drive.
Democratic Establishment Support Falls Short for Tanna
Tanna ran with the backing of a wide network of Democratic, labor, and grassroots organizations. Her endorsements included
Federal and State Officials:
U.S. Congressman Maxwell Frost
State Senators LaVon Bracy Davis and Carlos Guillermo Smith
Former State Senator Victor Torres
State Representatives Anna V. Eskamani, Johanna López, Rita Harris, and Rashon Young
Local Officials:
Orange–Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell
Orange–Osceola Public Defender Melissa Vickers
Orange County Property Appraiser Amy Mercado
Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph
Orange County Commissioners Mike Scott and Nicole Wilson
Orange County School Board Member Angie Gallo
Orange County Soil and Water Supervisors Dr. Jim Moyer and Matthew Grocholske
Orlando City Commissioner-Elect Tom Keen
Eatonville Mayor Angie Gardner
Organizations and Unions:
Ruth’s List Florida
SEIU Florida
Central Florida AFL-CIO
Florida Rising
Equality Florida Action PAC
Florida NOW PAC
Orange County Classroom Teachers Association
Orange County Environmental Caucus
Young Democrats of Orange County
Sierra Club Florida
Despite the extensive coalition, the broad establishment support ultimately did not translate into a runoff victory.