Orlando City Commissioner Tony Ortiz (Website) filed his candidacy for Orlando mayor on Tuesday, joining State Rep. Anna Eskamani in the race to replace Mayor John Hugh “Buddy” Dyer in the November 2027 election.
Dyer announced he will not seek re-election after serving seven terms as mayor, leaving the position open for the first time in over two decades.
Ortiz, a former Marine and Orlando police officer, said he will formally launch his campaign in the coming weeks.
“As the City of Orlando continues to grow and evolve, residents across the city are increasingly focused on the issues that shape everyday life, including housing, affordability, public safety, homelessness, transportation, economic opportunity, and neighborhood stability,” Ortiz said in a statement.
Eskamani announced her candidacy in December 2024 and has already raised over $1 million for her campaign. The Orlando Democrat is term-limited from seeking re-election to the Florida House in 2026 after serving four terms.
Eskamani, the first Iranian-American elected to the Florida Legislature, recently earned a doctorate in public affairs from the University of Central Florida. She has secured endorsements from U.S. Congressman Maxwell Frost, State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, Orange County School Board member Stephanie Vanos, State Attorney Monique Worrell, and Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph, among others.
“This campaign is powered by everyday Orlandoans who believe our city can be more affordable, more connected, and safer for everyone,” Eskamani said.
The mayoral race is nonpartisan. No other candidates have officially filed as of Tuesday.
