Overview
- López filed to run for Orange County Commission District 4 and outlined priorities including infrastructure, smart growth, small-business support, affordable housing and creating a cultural center.
- She will not seek re-election to the Florida House and endorsed Orange County Democratic chair Samuel Vilchez Santiago to succeed her in House District 43.
- Vilchez Santiago filed for HD 43 and is currently the lone candidate, is campaigning on Medicaid expansion, affordability and immigration, and took a Jan. 1 leave from party leadership with Jarred Cornell serving as interim chair.
- The District 4 race is nonpartisan and open due to Maribel Gomez Cordero’s term limits, with telecommunications professional Brian Jones also filed.
- This reshuffle comes as Orange County expands its commission from six to eight districts and prepares for an open mayoral contest, with candidate qualifying set for June 8–12.