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HISTORYMAKER: Tiffany Moore Russell makes history as first Black woman elected Orange County mayor
Tiffany Moore Russell defeats Chris Messina as housing costs, transportation needs and budget pressures confront the county’s next administration.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Tiffany Moore Russell was elected Orange County’s first Black woman mayor Tuesday, adding another milestone to her public service career as she prepares to lead a county confronting housing affordability, transportation demands and difficult spending decisions.
Moore Russell defeated businessman Chris Messina in the nonpartisan runoff to succeed term-limited Mayor Jerry Demings. Unofficial Associated Press results reported by WFTV showed Moore Russell receiving 266,945 votes, or approximately 63%, compared with 158,247 votes, or approximately 37%, for Messina. Results remain unofficial until certified.
Although candidates ran without party labels on the ballot, Moore Russell is a Democrat and Messina is a Republican. Her victory makes her the first Black woman elected to the county’s top executive position.
Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell speaks at the Orange County State Legislative Delegation. Photo by J Willie David, III / Florida National News
A historic victory with a message for future leaders
Moore Russell described the milestone as an opportunity to inspire young people who might one day seek public office.
“I think we’re still breaking barriers here in this country, and in Florida, and in Orange County,” she said, according to Central Florida Public Media.
The mayor-elect’s career has included other historic achievements. In 2006, she became the youngest person elected to the Orange County Commission. Her election as clerk of courts in 2014 made her the first Black woman elected to that position in Florida.
The latest victory moves her from overseeing court-related services to leading county government, with responsibility for daily operations, thousands of employees and a multibillion-dollar budget. The mayor also represents Orange County in regional discussions involving transportation, tourism and growth.
Housing affordability tops the agenda
For residents struggling to afford rent or purchase a home, the new administration’s housing decisions will be an early measure of its priorities.
Moore Russell identified housing as her leading issue in a candidate questionnaire published by the News Collaborative of Central Florida. She proposed expanding workforce and affordable housing through public-private partnerships, preserving existing affordable homes and encouraging mixed-income development.
Her proposals also called for coordination with municipalities to increase housing options while protecting neighborhoods.
During the campaign, she supported streamlining permitting to encourage affordable housing construction. Turning those proposals into projects will require decisions about development, infrastructure and the use of county resources.
Transportation needs extend beyond road congestion
Improving transportation will be another major challenge as county leaders consider how residents reach jobs, housing and services.
During an October debate, Moore Russell advocated a more connected rail system, including SunRail service seven days a week. Messina emphasized changes to bus operations and technology intended to make trips more direct and less expensive.
Moore Russell also supported seeking greater flexibility to use tourist development tax revenue for transportation and housing for tourism workers. Changing how those dollars can be spent would require action beyond the mayor’s office, including changes to state law.
Budget pressures will test campaign promises
Moore Russell will enter office following county approval of an approximately $9 billion budget. During the campaign, both candidates emphasized fiscal responsibility while offering different approaches to spending and services.
A central disagreement involved Amendment 3, the proposed property-tax measure on the November ballot. Moore Russell opposed it, citing county projections that it could reduce the following year’s budget by approximately $165 million. Messina supported the measure and questioned whether those projections sufficiently accounted for growth.
At the October debate, Moore Russell said potential budget responses included consolidating departments, reviewing hiring and vacant positions, and adjusting the timing of capital projects. Those options illustrate the choices facing an administration seeking to maintain services while controlling expenses.
Experience helped define the runoff
Moore Russell campaigned on her experience as clerk of courts and a former county commissioner. Messina, a technology entrepreneur, argued that the county needed business leadership and a different approach to government.
The two advanced from an August election that also included former U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy and County Commissioner Mayra Uribe. No candidate received the majority necessary to avoid a runoff.
Voters ultimately selected Moore Russell to succeed Demings. Her administration will now face the work of translating campaign proposals into housing, transportation and budget decisions affecting communities throughout Orange County.
Bulls overcome early deficit behind defensive touchdowns and a record-tying performance from C.J. Hicks.
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The University of South Florida (USF) secured its sixth victory of the season Saturday, October 31, defeating the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) 30–10 at Raymond James Stadium. The victory improved the Bulls’ record to 6–2 overall and 2–2 in American Conference play, making the program bowl-eligible for the fourth consecutive season.
Defense Turns the Game Around
UAB opened the game with a 10–0 first-quarter lead, but South Florida responded with 30 unanswered points, highlighted by two defensive touchdowns.
Defensive end C.J. Hicks delivered one of the game’s most significant performances, recording four sacks to tie the USF single-game record. Two of those sacks forced fumbles that resulted in touchdowns.
Late in the second quarter, Hicks forced a fumble by UAB quarterback Ryder Burton, allowing USF defender Asani Redwood to recover the football and return it six yards for a touchdown. The play gave South Florida a 17–10 halftime lead.
Asani Redwood and UAB #71 UAB defensive lineman #71 attempts to tackle USF’s Asani Redwood during the October 31, 2026, matchup at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
Hicks created another scoring opportunity in the fourth quarter, forcing a second fumble that linebacker Grayson Howard recovered and returned 13 yards for a touchdown, extending USF’s lead to 27–10.
South Florida’s defense finished with six sacks and 11 tackles for loss, limiting UAB to just 177 total offensive yards, including 17 rushing yards.
Offensive Adjustments Provide Momentum
Following an injury to starting quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr., sophomore Luke Kromenhoek entered the game and helped shift momentum in South Florida’s favor.
Luke Kromenhoek (#17) USF quarterback Luke Kromenhoek (#17) carries the football while facing pressure from a UAB defender during the Bulls’ 30–10 victory at Raymond James Stadium on October 31, 2026. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
Kromenhoek finished with a career-high 92 rushing yards, including a 42-yard run that helped establish the Bulls’ offensive rhythm.
Running back Jason Collins Jr. added a six-yard rushing touchdown late in the second quarter to tie the game at 10–10.
Kicker Nico Gramatica contributed three field goals, connecting from 31, 30 and 33 yards to help secure the victory.
Bowl Eligibility Marks Another Program Milestone
With its sixth win, South Florida secured bowl eligibility for the fourth consecutive season, matching the second-longest such streak in program history.
The accomplishment allows USF to qualify for postseason bowl consideration, although an official bowl invitation and destination have yet to be determined.
The victory also kept the Bulls competitive in the American Conference standings, with four regular-season games remaining following the UAB matchup.
Looking Ahead
USF will return to conference competition Friday, November 6, traveling to face East Carolina as the Bulls continue their pursuit of a stronger conference finish and a postseason bowl invitation.
Final Score: USF 30, UAB 10
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
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