Keith Givens wins historic election in Maitland City Council race

Keith Givens won a seat at Maitland City Council in Tuesday’s election, becoming the first Black Council Member elected in the modern-day era, his campaign said.

Givens won with nearly 59% of the vote over Alexander Trauger in the open race for Seat 2 with 100% of precincts reporting in unofficial election results.

“I’m humbled by the opportunity and at the same time I hope I can serve and be a beacon for bringing us all together,” Givens said on Election Night.

Vice Chair Vance Guthrie did not run for re-election, setting the stage for an open contest for Seat 2.

The north Orlando suburb of Maitland is home to about 20,000 people.

“I’m excited to extend my congratulations to councilman-elect Keith Givens on this historic victory. Tonight not only did he win an election, but made history as the first Black person elected to the Maitland City Council in nearly 200 years,” said Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried. 

In the race, Givens touted his skills to protect Maitland from complicated financial and security issues.

He is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Fraud Examiner, running his own consulting firm following nearly three decades at the Federal Bureau of Investigation where he investigated violent crime, public corruption, white-collar crime, and healthcare fraud. 

“Keith truly exemplifies the best of us,” Fried said. “After a distinguished career in the military and serving as an FBI agent, Keith has more than fulfilled the call of service to our country. Instead of sitting down, Keith has stepped up to continue his life of public service by helping the people of his community. Alongside his trademark integrity, I know that he will bring a strategic, problem-solving, people centered approach to his tenure on the Council and the City of Maitland will be better for it.” 

Across Orange County, elections were also held Tuesday in the smaller communities of Oakland and Apopka that decided the local Council and ballot initiatives reshaping local government.