Scott Powers
Orlando City Commissioner Jim Gray has filed to seek reelection, and retired Orlando police officer Bill Moore has filed to challenge him.
Both candidacy declarations were filed last week for the District 1 seat on Orlando City Council, representing the fast-growing region of Orlando’s southeast side, an area of varied communities including the booming, health tech-powered Lake Nona.
Gray, Orlando managing director for CBRE, the largest commercial real estate services and investment firm globally, is seeing a third term as City Commissioner. He easily won a second term, strongly defeating challenger Tom Keen in District 1, 53% to 40%.
Last week Gray became the third of three Orlando City Council members to file for reelection in the Nov. 2 election. The other two incumbents, Commissioner Robert Stuart in District 3 and Commissioner Regina Hill in District 5, also have challengers. Qualifying does not take place until mid-September for the municipal election.
Moore has thrice run for Orange County Commission, finishing third last year to Commissioner Mayra Uribe, losing to Uribe in 2018, and Pete Clarke in 2016.
He issued a news release Monday pledging fiscal responsibility, no tax increases, efforts to reduce “burdensome regulations,” support for transportation enhancements “only after careful analysis and resident input,” and limits to development and annexation “where there is substantial negative impact to residents or on the environment.”
Orlando city elections and the City Council officially are nonpartisan. Gray and Moore both are registered Republicans.
“I will not rubber-stamp my approval on an issue just for the sake of not rocking the boat. One of my biggest priorities will be to make sure public funds are properly spent on projects and disbursed in accordance with vendor contracts,” Moore said in the news release.” In at least one case, I know this has not been done. We need those funds for maintaining, improving, and keeping our communities safe.”
