Orange commissioner: It’s Wilson over VanderLey

Voters in west Orange County ousted Commissioner Betsy VanderLey on Tuesday, replacing the controversial incumbent with an environmental-law attorney who was making her first run for office.

With 41 of 41 precincts reporting, Nicole Wilson defeated VanderLey 56.9% to 42.6% — a margin of nearly 6,000 votes.

“People can’t buy elections,” said Wilson, who was dramatically outspent by VanderLey, who raised tens of thousands of dollars from development and tourism interests. “It means people pay attention, that they are engaged, that a grassroots, local movement still works.”

VanderLey’s fellow incumbents on the Orange County Commission fared much better. In District 3, Commissioner Mayra Uribe won reelection against two challengers. With 42 of 42 precincts reporting, Uribe won 58.2% of the vote — easily defeating former County Commissioner Pete Clarke (31.3%) and retired police officer Bill Moore (10.5%).

In District 5, Commissioner Emily Bonilla appeared to narrowly avoid a runoff. With 49 of 49 precincts reporting, the incumbent had 50.25% of the vote, far ahead of former state Rep. Mike Miller (29.8%) and Winter Park business owner Anjali Vaya (20%). If no candidate finishes above 50%, the top two finishers meet in a runoff during the November general election.

The three incumbent commissioners campaigned in the aftermath of a series of close and controversial board votes. Late last year, for instance, Orange County commissioners voted 4-3 to give up to $125 million to Universal Orlando to help pay for a new road and 5-2 to approve an expressway backed by developer Tavistock through the Split Oak Forest nature preserve.

VanderLey voted for both. Uribe voted against the Universal deal but for the Split Oak expressway. Bonilla voted against both.

VanderLey, a Republican, was once seen as a shoo-in for reelection over Wilson, a Democrat