Linda Stewart files to run for Orange County Commission again

Former Sen. Linda Stewart is running for Orange County Board of Commissioners in 2028 — a homecoming of sorts for the longtime lawmaker who started her political career at the county.

So far, Stewart and four other candidates have filed for District 3 that’s currently represented by Commissioner Mayra Uribe who narrowly beat Stewart in November 2024.

Uribe is currently seeking the open Orange County Mayor job to replace term-limited Jerry Demings in the 2026 election.

The other candidates up for District 3 are: Nelson Betancourt, information technology expert Gus Martinez, lawyer Walker Smith IV, and Curry Ford West Main Street District Executive Director Stephanie Ziglar.

Stewart plans to launch her campaign Dec. 4 at the Social in downtown Orlando.

Hoping her name recognition will propel her in the race, Stewart previously was a County Commissioner for eight years before getting elected to the state House and then the Senate in 2016 where she served eight years until she was term-limited.

She filed for Orange County Commission again because she said she believes local officials can make a greater impact compared to Tallahassee that takes longer to create change.

“You can get things done a lot faster,” said Stewart, a Democrat who lives in Orange County’s Conway neighborhood. “I’m very excited about coming back home and helping those that I’ve helped in the past at the local level.”

A County Commissioner’s current annual salary is $130,262.

In making her case to voters why she should win public office, Stewart pointed to her contributions from Tallahassee — like securing $5 million in state funding for a new Holocaust Museum and requiring Florida Department of Law Enforcement to keep rape kits for at least 50 years for evidence.

Stewart also said she is a skilled negotiator while keeping a civil tone in politics. 

“If somebody has a different opinion, try to come to a middle ground,” Stewart said. “You don’t scream and yell and criticize people for having an opinion.”

Stewart argued the county needs experienced leaders like herself amid a time of great change. The county’s redistricting creates two new seats and missing from the board will be Demings, who has led the county since 2018 and is now running for Governor.

“You can’t have a new person come in and understand the budget, understand the necessities,” Stewart said, “It takes them a year or two to get their feet on the ground, to actually get something done — that’s not me.”

Stewart isn’t the only former state lawmaker seeking county office in Orange County. Former Sen. Victor Torres recently filed to run for District 8.