Orange County Commissioner Mayra Uribe is defending her choice not to submit her resignation this month as she runs for the County Mayor job — which some Orange County Democrats fear will allow Gov. Ron DeSantis the ability to appoint her replacement in a blue county.
Orange County Democratic Executive Committee sought legal advice from lawyer Mark Herron about when Uribe and Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell — both Democrats running for County Mayor — should step down from their current posts under Florida’s resign-to-run law.
Democrats want to make sure Uribe’s and Moore Russell’s resignations trigger a Special Election instead of giving DeSantis the ability to appoint their replacements.
The last time that happened, DeSantis appointed Glen Gilzean, a Republican, to be Orange County Elections Supervisor. Gilzean’s brief tenure led to accusations of misspending and unethical deal-making.
Under the law, Uribe and Moore Russell must file resignation letters by May 28 with the effective resignation date set by Aug. 1 in Uribe’s case or Sept. 1, for Moore Russell’s case. The date they must leave office is 28 months before the end of their term in order to allow the voters to pick their replacements.
Moore Russell promised to follow the timeline, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
But Uribe fought back, arguing she planned to remain the representative for District 3 until Dec. 7, 2026.
“It was requested that I resign effective May 28, 2026. I was even threatened by some if I did not resign then, they would oppose my candidacy for Mayor of Orange County and any future endeavors,” Uribe wrote on Facebook. “If I resign May 28, 2026, the Governor can appoint a replacement commissioner effective until November 16-17. That is not guaranteed. And I think that anyone who thinks ‘any appointment by the Governor’ is unacceptable, is misguided.”
Uribe said she wanted to remain on the County Commission to vote down potential tax increases and fight against special interests.
“I have been the swing vote on many key votes such as limiting development in the rural area, premature annexation of rural lands, and our investment in temporary homeless housing,” Uribe wrote. “I want to serve to ensure the funding of the new homeless housing center that I have advocated these past few years. “
Orange County Commissioners are paid $130,262 annually.
Giving DeSantis an in to appoint an ally onto the Orange County Board of Commissioners has long been a concern for local Democratic leaders.
Last year, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said he was not willing to fight an immigration deal and signed the contract under fear the Governor would suspend the County Commissioners from office and “insert his minions.”
Demings is term-limited, so Uribe and Russell Moore are in the crowded race to replace him.
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