Mayra Uribe is running for Orange County Mayor

Mayra Uribe is accusing her opponent Pete Clarke of ‘stalking,’ which most people who knows Clarke think is ludicrous.

Orange County Commissioner Mayra Uribe is officially running to replace term-limited County Mayor Jerry Demings.

“Voters in our county are disillusioned with partisan gridlock and empty promises,” she said at a rally announcing her candidacy, according to a press release.

“They’re looking for a Mayor who can deliver real results, protect what’s special about Central Florida and prepare the region for generational challenges — from affordability to resilience.”

Uribe described herself as a “hands-on, prepared and responsive” County Commissioner, which is the office she’s held since 2018.

Uribe’s priorities include higher-paying jobs, affordable housing, clean growth and better transportation, she said in her press release.

“I’m not here today as a politician. I’m here as a wife and mother, as your neighbor who believes that common sense and bold action can and will change lives.”

Uribe beat state Sen. Linda Stewart last year to retain her seat on the County Commission.

Before running for County Commission, Uribe worked as an aide to then-U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.

Uribe is joining what could become a crowded race.

Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore-Russell and businessman Christopher Messina have already filed for next year’s election.

The Orlando Sentinel reported THAT other big names in Central Florida politics could also run, including former U.S. Reps. Val Demings and Stephanie Murphy, as well as County Commissioner Emily Bonilla.

A Florida Politics investigation last year found Uribe gave hundreds of free tickets to concerts and sporting events to her husband’s nonprofit. As a County Commissioner, Uribe had access to the luxury boxes at Kia Center and Camping World Stadium. 

“I don’t know whether that’s legal or not,” Ben Wilcox, research director of Integrity Florida, told Florida Politics. “That just doesn’t seem right and doesn’t look good to the public.”

After Florida Politics’ reporting, Demings changed the county policy to keep officials from donating the tickets to nonprofits run by their family members.