Buddy Dyer secures fifth term as Orlando mayor in landslide victory

ORLANDO, Fla. - Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has secured another four-year term as the leader of Central Florida's largest city.  Dyer, who has been Orlando’s mayor since 2003, handily defeated his challengers, District 6 Councilman Sam Ings and non-profit consultant Aretha Simons. 

"I feel humbled and overwhelmed by the margin of victory," Dyer told FOX 35's Robert Guaderrama. "I thank the voters of Orlando for having the trust and confidence to give me another four years."

Addressing key agenda items for his next term, Dyer stressed that he will press for more affordable housing and transportation initiatives with Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.

"We're going to continue a lot of the things we're doing -- working on affordable housing, homeless issues, finishing the [Dr. Phillips Performing Arts] Center. Working on Deming's transportation initiative. A lot of work yet to be done."

Buddy Dyer’s election night party, turned victory party held in Downtown Orlando, Tuesday, where he learned of his win. 

“I just think he’s doing a phenomenal job, and I think his victory tonight has just sent a resounding from the citizens of Orlando, that they want to give him another four more years,” said Rep. Val Demings, D-Orlando.

“The Mayor has a proven record of being a leader, a visionary, someone who has always been the tip of the spear when it comes to the Central Florida community,” said Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolon.

The three candidates had spoken out about a variety of hot topics during the campaign, from raising the minimum wage to taxes. Dyer was the lone mayoral candidate to support the transportation sales tax increase that Mayor Demings is proposing for the 2020 ballot.

"More than 50 percent of sales tax in Orange County is paid by visitors and a one-cent sales tax will generate about $640 million a year,” Dyer said. “One cent of tourism development tax will generate about 40 million dollars."

Voter turnout was significantly low. Less than 23,000 ballots were cast, representing about 13 percent of all registered voters in Orlando.

Around the region, several municipalities held elections on Tuesday, including Barefoot Bay, Cape Canaveral, Indialantic, Indian Harbour, Melbourne Beach, Palm Bay, and Rockledge in Brevard County; Clermont, Mascotte, Minneola, Montverde, Mount Dora, and Tavares in Lake County; Lake Helen in Volusia County; and Ovideo in Seminole County.  CLICK HERE TO VIEW RESULTS