Photos for Headline Surfer / TOP: Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell is shown along with the Orlando Clerk of the Court building where she holds public elected office as the court clerk.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
ORLANDO, Fla. -- What a way to celebrate Women's History Month!
Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell has announced her candidacy for county mayor in 2026.
She plans to paperwork on Monday with the Supervisor of Elections in May for the countywide office held by Jerry Demings.
He is barred by term limits from seeking re-election when his current term expires at the end of 2026.
A former District 6 Orange County Commissioner and the county’s first Black clerk of courts, Russell was the youngest member of the county commission when she was elected in 2006.
She served two terms before winning her current role as the Orange County Courts Clerk in 2014 and successfully winning re-election.
Russell won't be alone in seeking the top elected county office.
Former U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy told the Orlando Sentinel she's strongly considering it, as is Val Demings, another former congresswoman, although not as firmly committed to running, she told the newspaper in an email.
Orange County Commissioner Mayra Uribe has said she intends to run for mayor. Former county commissioners Emily Bonilla and Scott Boyd have told the newspaper they're thinking about it but haven't decided either way.
Jerry L. Demings was sworn in as the fifth elected Mayor of Orange County on Dec. 4, 2018, and was reelected in 2022.
He is the first African American to serve in this role. As the county's chief executive officer, he oversees more than 8,000 employees and a $7 billion budget. He has said his goal is to make Orange County the “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow” by creating a culture of innovation, collaboration, and inclusion.
About the Headline Surfer Byline Writer: Henry Frederick is an award-winning journalist who launched Headline Surfer in 2008, which serves greater Daytona Beach, Sanford & Orlando via