Orlando Florida, October 6, 2025
News Summary
With Robert Stuart retiring after 20 years, Orlando’s District 3 will have a new representative. Five candidates are competing in the upcoming election, focusing on housing affordability and transportation. The election is set for November 4, with early voting starting on October 27. This open seat presents an opportunity for new insights and policies at City Hall, impacting neighborhoods like Baldwin Park and College Park as they navigate growth and community needs.
Orlando — Orlando will have a new representative at City Hall for the first time in decades.
Five candidates are running to replace District 3 Commissioner Robert Stuart, who is retiring after 20 years in office. The city council election is set for November 4, 2025, with early voting taking place from October 27 to November 4. The District 3 area includes neighborhoods such as Baldwin Park, Audubon Park, Rosemont, and College Park.
Why this race matters
The open seat ends two decades of continuous representation and presents a chance for new policy directions at City Hall. Housing affordability and transportation are identified as the most critical issues by the candidates. Each of the five candidates brings a different approach to those priorities, and all emphasize community engagement and effective local governance to tackle core challenges facing residents.
Candidates and campaign timeline
Candidates include: Samuel Chambers, Roger Chapin, Chris Durant, Kimberly Kiss, and Mira Tanna. Voters in District 3 will choose a replacement on November 4, 2025, with early voting available from October 27 to November 4.
Where District 3 covers
The District 3 area includes neighborhoods such as Baldwin Park, Audubon Park, Rosemont, and College Park, a mix of established residential areas and commercial corridors that face pressure from growth, housing costs, and transportation demand.
Top issues in the campaign
Across the field, candidates prioritize housing affordability and transportation. Proposed remedies range from zoning and development incentives to changes in transit service and funding mechanisms. Candidates also highlight the need for efficient city operations and stronger connections between neighborhoods, small businesses, and families.
Candidate highlights
Kimberly Kiss
Background: Probate, estate planning, and trust lawyer; raised in Orlando. Focuses on community engagement and strengthening ties between families and small businesses. Identifies homelessness and transportation as significant regional issues. Plans to engage the community to address these challenges. Advocates revisiting LINX (public transit) services and technology for better transportation solutions. Supports affordable housing initiatives, influenced by her husband’s work in affordable housing development.
Mira Tanna
Believes transportation and housing affordability are interlinked issues. Advocates for transit-oriented development to reduce the need for car ownership. Proposes expanding SunRail and increasing the frequency of LYNX bus services.
Roger Chapin
Background: Owner of Chapin Communications, previously worked for Mears Transportation. Emphasizes addressing affordability through improving infrastructure, transit, and walkability. Supports expanding density in neighborhoods and incentives for living near transit.
Chris Durant
Labels housing affordability as the number one issue, citing a growing need due to population increases. Calls for zoning reforms to encourage diverse housing options.
Samuel Chambers
Proposes making the city’s affordable housing trust fund a mandatory, recurring source of funding. Advocates for inclusionary zoning policies and the inclusion of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and quadplexes.
What to watch before Election Day
Voter turnout in local elections, candidate outreach in neighborhoods such as Baldwin Park and College Park, and any late campaign developments around housing and transit policy will shape the result. Early voting runs from October 27 to November 4, providing residents additional opportunities to cast ballots ahead of the November 4, 2025 election.
Context and background
Robert Stuart’s departure after 20 years in office creates an open-seat contest that many view as a pivotal transition for Orlando city leadership. The candidates’ emphasis on housing affordability and transportation reflects long-running municipal challenges as the city grows. Local policy tools cited by candidates include zoning changes, transit service adjustments, development incentives, mandatory funding streams for housing, and community engagement measures.
FAQ
Q: What is the most critical information about District 3?
A: Orlando will have a new representative at City Hall for the first time in decades.
Q: Who is retiring?
A: Robert Stuart, who is retiring after 20 years in office.
Q: When is the election?
A: The city council election is set for November 4, 2025, with early voting taking place from October 27 to November 4.
Q: Which neighborhoods are included in District 3?
A: The District 3 area includes neighborhoods such as Baldwin Park, Audubon Park, Rosemont, and College Park.
Q: Who are the candidates?
A: Candidates include: Samuel Chambers, Roger Chapin, Chris Durant, Kimberly Kiss, and Mira Tanna.
Q: What are the main issues identified by the candidates?
A: Housing affordability and transportation are identified as the most critical issues by the candidates.
Q: What is Kimberly Kiss’s background and focus?
A: Background: Probate, estate planning, and trust lawyer; raised in Orlando. Focuses on community engagement and strengthening ties between families and small businesses. Identifies homelessness and transportation as significant regional issues. Plans to engage the community to address these challenges. Advocates revisiting LINX (public transit) services and technology for better transportation solutions. Supports affordable housing initiatives, influenced by her husband’s work in affordable housing development.
Q: What does Mira Tanna advocate?
A: Believes transportation and housing affordability are interlinked issues. Advocates for transit-oriented development to reduce the need for car ownership. Proposes expanding SunRail and increasing the frequency of LYNX bus services.
Q: What does Roger Chapin emphasize?
A: Background: Owner of Chapin Communications, previously worked for Mears Transportation. Emphasizes addressing affordability through improving infrastructure, transit, and walkability. Supports expanding density in neighborhoods and incentives for living near transit.
Q: What does Chris Durant propose?
A: Labels housing affordability as the number one issue, citing a growing need due to population increases. Calls for zoning reforms to encourage diverse housing options.
Q: What does Samuel Chambers propose?
A: Proposes making the city’s affordable housing trust fund a mandatory, recurring source of funding. Advocates for inclusionary zoning policies and the inclusion of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and quadplexes.
Quick reference chart
| Candidate | Primary focus / proposal |
|---|---|
| Kimberly Kiss | Community engagement; revisiting LINX (public transit) services and technology; supports affordable housing initiatives |
| Mira Tanna | Transit-oriented development; expand SunRail; increase LYNX frequency |
| Roger Chapin | Improve infrastructure, transit, and walkability; expand density and incentives near transit |
| Chris Durant | Housing affordability as top issue; zoning reforms for diverse housing options |
| Samuel Chambers | Make affordable housing trust fund mandatory and recurring; inclusionary zoning; ADUs and quadplexes |
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Additional Resources
- Click Orlando: District 3 Candidates Tackle City Issues
- Wikipedia: Orlando
- Click Orlando: One-on-One with Samuel Chambers
- Google Search: Orlando City Council
- Orlando Sentinel: District 1 Race
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Orlando
- Florida Politics: Roger Chapin Fundraising Lead
- Google News: Orlando District 3 City Council
- Click Orlando: One-on-One with Kimberly Kiss
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
