ORLANDO, Fla. – One incumbent was unseated, one will return to office, and a third seat will go to a runoff election in the Orlando City Council races Tuesday.
Voters say transportation, growth and property taxes were among their top concerns as they voted for candidates in Districts 1, 3 and 5.
Former State Rep. Tom Keen unseated incumbent Commissioner Jim Gray to take District 1 on the city council, which includes the Lake Nona area.
Commissioner Shan Rose will return to the city council to represent District 5 after beating former commissioner Regina Hill, 51.96% to 32.81%.
Meanwhile, the top two vote-getters in the District 3 city council race will advance to a runoff election on Dec. 9.
Roger Chapin got 34.01% of the vote in the five-way race, while Mira Tanna got 33.83%.
Turnout for the elections was around 17%, according to the Orange County supervisor of elections website. Unofficial live returns are now being posted there.
[BELOW: News 6 speaks with candidates in District 3 runoff]
Derek Diablo said voting is an important civic duty.
“As Socrates said to Plato, those of us who refuse to be involved in the political process accept being governed by our inferiors, and I refuse to do the latter,” Diablo said.
[VIDEO BELOW: Voters head to the poll for several key races]
In District 1, which includes Lake Nona, Commissioner Jim Gray faced three challengers. Voters in the area have raised concerns about ongoing transportation issues along Narcoossee Road.
Keen won in the four-way race, 53.89% to Gray’s 31.29%.
Sunshine Linda-Marie Grund got 9.62% of the vote, and Manny Acosta got 5.16%.
In District 3, longtime Commissioner Robert Stuart is retiring after 20 years in office, ensuring a new representative for the first time in two decades. Five candidates were running for the open seat that represents Rosemont, College Park, Audubon Park, and Baldwin Park.
Roger Chapin got 34.01% of the vote in the five-way race, while Mira Tanna got 33.83%. They will go to a runoff on Dec. 9.
[WATCH: Lisa Bell’s interviews with Roger Chapin | Mira Tanna]
Chris Durant came in third with 18.09%, Kimberly Kiss came in fourth place with 9.31% and Samuel Chambers got 4.76% of the vote.
In District 5, which includes downtown Orlando, Parramore out west to Metrowest, Commissioner Shan Rose will keep her seat.
Former Commissioner Regina Hill, who was suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis last year after her arrest on charges of mortgage fraud and elderly exploitation, ran to get her seat back.
Rose beat Hill 51.84% to 32.71%. Lawanna Gelzer came in third with 15.45%.
[BELOW: Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill arrested on charges of elderly exploitation, mortgage fraud]
Hill has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and on Tuesday, she cast her ballot at the Rock Lake Neighborhood Center.
“It’s been a journey for me to be on the ballot for the people to decide to send me back to city hall and do the people’s business,” Hill said. “I voted for redemption, restoration, revitalization, and I voted for the people.”
A trial date for Hill’s case has not been scheduled; however, her next hearing is in early 2026.
Downtown voter Kevin Mooney said he plans to pay closer attention to local politics.
“Be more involved, I guess,” Mooney said. “I can only speak for myself, and I certainly should be more involved.”