Orlando City Council races take shape

Qualifying closes, locking in the ballot for elections

The qualifying period for city council ended Friday, locking in candidates for three city council races. And none of the three incumbents on the ballot got a free pass.

In District 3, including northwest Orlando including Audubon Park, Baldwin Park, College Park and Rosemont, incumbent Robert Stuart faces a challenge from Nicolette Springer and Samuel Chambers for his seat.

Stuart, the money leader in the race so far, has raised more than $70,000 and spent nearly $20,000 in his bid for a fifth term on the council.

Springer has mounted a strong fundraising effort as well, with more than $38,000 raised in the race, and spending more than $17,000. Chambers has raised about $8,500 and spent $3,000.

In District 1, covering neighborhoods in southeast Orlando, including Lake

Nona, parts of Conway and Lee Vista, incumbent Jim Gray faces Bill Moore, a retired Orlando Police officer, and Sunshine Grund.

Gray, who has served on city council since 2012, has nearly $21,000 in his campaign account and has spent only $190 so far. Moore has raised about $3,300, and spent $440, while Grund filed to run after the most recent reporting deadline.

And in District 5, stretching from downtown Orlando to neighborhoods such as Parramore and West Lakes, incumbent Regina Hill, who was elected in 2013, faces Shaniqua Rose, a former city employee.

Hill has more than $71,000 in contributions so far and has spent about $27,000 toward her reelection. Rose has raised more than $12,000 and spent about $5,300 so far.

Election Day is Nov. 2 for voters in these districts, and if no candidate receives more than 50% of ballots, a runoff between the two leading vote-getters will be Dec. 7.