Two candidates who spent markedly less than a better-funded rival will meet in a November runoff for Orange County mayor after primary results projected Tuesday night put Tiffany Moore Russell and Chris Messina atop the field.
Primary leaves former congresswoman short despite large war chest
Moore Russell, the county clerk of court who first won county office two decades ago, took nearly 32% of the vote, while Messina, a tech entrepreneur and the only Republican in the race, drew about 28%. Former U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy finished third with roughly 26%, about 2,500 votes behind Messina and out of the runoff.
Murphy’s campaign drew national attention — and large contributions — but the spending edge did not translate into a runoff berth. Her fundraising approached $1.9 million, which the coverage noted was larger than any single mayoral campaign in county history and topped the combined 2018 mayoral fundraising total previously cited for the county.
Campaign expenditures reported for the top contenders were:
- Tiffany Moore Russell: about $377,000
- Chris Messina: about $137,000
- Stephanie Murphy: nearly $1.9 million
- Mayra Uribe: about $688,000
| Candidate | Primary vote share | Reported spending |
|---|---|---|
| Tiffany Moore Russell | ~32% | $377,000 |
| Chris Messina | ~28% | $137,000 |
| Stephanie Murphy | ~26% | $1.9 million |
| Mayra Uribe | ~15% | $688,000 |
Candidates respond to results
Moore Russell celebrated Tuesday evening at an election-night gathering on the shore of Lake Orlando, telling supporters the outcome showed that the race "couldn’t be bought." She credited grassroots support and framed the result as a rejection of heavy spending by outside backers.
“Yes, we were up against millions of dollars that kept people quiet … but the people of Orange County continued to back us every step of the way,” she said. “That money didn’t stop you … you didn’t stay on the sideline to support me.”
Messina, reached late on election night, drew attention to the efficiency of both campaigns that advanced. He noted that he and Moore Russell were the two lowest spenders among the leading candidates and said their campaigns focused on targeted outreach.
Turnout, spending and what comes next
The contest drew roughly 22% turnout, a modest share of eligible voters. Observers and the campaigns themselves highlighted turnout and message targeting as decisive factors — especially given the disparity in fundraising. Murphy had attracted six-figure donations from some prominent donors and entities, including Walt Disney World and individual donors, but those contributions were not enough to secure a runoff slot.
With the November head-to-head now set, the campaign dynamic will shift. A lower-spending primary showing by the two runoff candidates suggests both may continue emphasizing voter contact and coalition building rather than pursuing an arms race of ad buys. For Orange County residents, the runoff will decide who leads the county through the next term and shapes priorities tied to county services and budgets.
Countywide campaigns also tend to influence local municipal politics and appointments. The November matchup will likely draw renewed attention from donors and interest groups who were active in the primary, and both campaigns will be under pressure to expand turnout beyond the base that carried them through the primary.
The final outcome will be decided by registered voters in the November general election, when the two candidates advance to a head-to-head contest to determine who will serve as the county’s next chief executive.
