Frank Torres
Orange County Commissioner Ted Edwards filed for re-election on Tuesday morning, seeking an opportunity to represent the people of District 5 for another four years.
Edwards, the fiscal conservative on the commission, has often challenged project leaders looking for financial support from the board, peppering them with tougher questions than his colleagues. In 2013 he voted against a $98 million venue package that, at the time, included the downtown performing arts center, Citrus Bowl renovations and the new MLS Soccer stadium. The vote came before the Orlando City Soccer club decided on private financing.
Edwards has also led the way on recent environment initiatives such as outdoor composting and trash pick-up programs that would encourage more recycling.
Shortly after filing, Florida Politics asked Edwards what he wants to accomplish in another term.
“There are a lot of continuing challenges and opportunities in District 5 and Orange County,” he said. “I want to continue to focus to sticking to core county functions, not expanding county government and being a fiscal hawk.
“We’ve got our environment to take care of and we’re going to try to address transportation issues. Just continuing good government, public safety and those issues.”
Edwards is mentioned frequently as a potential mayoral candidate, someone who could run after Teresa Jacobs is term-limited in 2018.
Also seeking the seat is Greg Eisenberg, a real estate marketing and business director.
