Scott Powers
Orange County Commissioner Pete Clarke acknowledged at a Republican Party meeting in Orlando Thursday night and again on Friday that he is in the race for Orange County mayor, just not officially yet.
Clarke, elected to his second term on the commission last November to represent District 3 in south-central Orange County, was introduced at the Republican Party Executive Committee meeting Thursday night as a mayoral candidate, and responded by confirming he was.
He confirmed that again for Orlando-Rising.com Friday, but insisted it is not official yet and probably won’t be until October.
“It’s 99.9 percent I’m going to do it,” Clarke said. “I’ve still got some work to do.”
Clarke would be the first major Republican in the race and would face Democratic Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings in the 2018 election. The election and the office are officially non-partisan, but both parties desperately want the seat, which is now held by Republican Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, who is leaving due to term limits.
The Democrats have not had the office since Linda Chapin retired from the post in 2002.
Clarke’s candidacy has been widely rumored all year, as had Demings before he announced and filed for his candidacy in early July.
2 comments
Alan Hirschkorn
September 4, 2017 at 6:19 am
I support Orange County Commissioner Peter Clarke for Orange County Mayor. Commissioner Peter Clarke is a super great Commissioner. Commissioner Clarke . took care of Orange County Citizens of all ages. He now our next Orange County Mayor.
Alan Hirschkorn
September 4, 2017 at 10:12 am
I strongly support Commissioner Peter Clarke for Orange County Mayor. We need the the best person for the position for Orange County Mayor. Commissioner Peter Clarke is more experience them any other candidates for this position. So I Alan Hirschkorn support Peter Clarke for Orange County Mayor.
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