- Maxwell Frost | U.S. Representative, 10thDistrict
- Anna V. Eskamani | Florida State Representative, District 42
- Jerry Demings | Orange County Mayor
- Buddy Dyer | Orlando Mayor
- John Mina | Orange County Sheriff
- Eric D. Smith | Orlando Police Chief
- Darren M. Soto | S. Representative, 9th District
- Carlos Guillermo Smith | State Senator, Florida Senate District 17
- Patty Sheehan | Orlando City Commissioner, District 4
- Kelly Cohen | Managing Partner, The Southern Group Orlando
Some of Congressman Maxwell Frost’s most important work comes out of his district office.
1. Maxwell Frost | U.S. Representative, 10th District
Congressman Maxwell Frost is incredibly proud of the work his office is doing to show folks that the government can work for them.
Oftentimes, he says, the work that gets the headlines is what’s going on in D.C. While that work matters a lot, some of his most important work comes out of his district office.
“Since taking office, we’ve solved over 5,000 cases and as of right now [this interview was conducted in July 2025], we’ve returned over $9 million to constituents,” says Frost. “That’s money folks were owed from federal agencies but got caught up in red tape or delayed because of bureaucratic errors. These returns can sometimes be upwards of tens of thousands of dollars, which can be life-changing for working people. It’s not work that makes the headlines, but it changes lives. And that’s what this work is really all about: being able to make people’s everyday life better.”
Frost and his office are very active in the community, hosting town halls, resource fairs and “Coffee With Your Congressman” roundtables to keep Central Floridians plugged into what’s going on in D.C.
He says his constituents’ concerns come back to one thing: cost of living.
“The cost of groceries, healthcare, education, housing are all going up as wages remain stagnant. Families are being forced to cut back on essentials just to stay afloat,” says Frost. “That’s why I have been championing price-lowering legislation to fix the property insurance price crisis, decrease grocery prices, ban excessive hidden fees and unfair credit screenings in rental housing, cap the cost of prescription drugs and help our community save on medical bills, especially after hurricanes and other emergencies.”
“The cost of living is more than just about the cost of goods,” he adds. “It means building more affordable housing. Having reliable public transportation. Creating a healthcare system that doesn’t leave people bankrupt after one ER visit. I’m working tirelessly to ensure people don’t just get by but can build a good life with stability and dignity.”
Also top of mind is the growing fear and uncertainty in Central Florida’s immigrant communities, which prompted Frost to come together with organizations like the Immigrants Are Welcome Here Coalition, Orlando Center for Justice and ACLU Florida.
“In a state where over 20 percent of our population is born outside the U.S., immigrants are such an integral part of our community and are not just part of the workforce but are our neighbors, our classmates and our loved ones, and by virtue of being human deserve dignity and compassion,” says Frost. “We’ve been working together to stand up for the rights of all immigrants, including my Stop Unlawful Detention and End Mistreatment (SUDEM) Act, legislation that would expose widespread human rights violations in America’s immigration detention system and shine a light on the secretive practices of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).”
“Our office is going to continue to work with community organizations, legal advocates and immigrant families so we can build a better Central Florida that reflects our shared values of inclusion, humanity and love for one another,” he adds.
Leadership is about persistence, not titles, stresses Dr. Anna V. Eskamani.
2. Dr. Anna V. Eskamani | Florida State Representative, District 42
A recent trip to the notorious Alligator Alcatraz reminded Dr. Anna V. Eskamani that leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about persistence. Eskamani was part of a small delegation of lawmakers who attempted to gain access to the site but was denied entry, despite her status as an elected official.
“The experience laid bare how power can be used to hide harm and silence accountability,” says Eskamani. “This moment deepened my conviction that leadership means standing firmly by your values, even when the systems around you are trying to push you away.”
She’s been working alongside community groups who are leading the charge on critical issues like housing affordability, immigrant rights and health care access.
“A great example of this is the Immigrants Are Welcome Here coalition, where immigrant rights organizations, legal advocates, faith-based groups and newly energized residents are coming together to collectively push back against anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric,” says Eskamani.
As the daughter of working-class Iranian immigrants, she’s seen how hard people work just to survive, and also how systems can either uplift or create barriers.
“My mom, Nasrin, is a huge inspiration for me,” says Eskamani. “She and my dad juggled multiple jobs to make ends meet and, despite our financial constraints, created a home full of love and opportunity. She passed away from cancer when I was just 13. It’s her story and impact on me that pushes me to keep moving forward, despite the odds.”
During the past year, Eskamani continued fighting for everyday Floridians in the legislature, launched a campaign for mayor of Orlando and expanded her statewide organizing efforts through People Power for Florida. Team Anna registered thousands of voters, knocked on thousands of doors and built a people-powered movement rooted in effectiveness, transparency and community. That includes successfully pushing back against bills that would have directly hurt Orlando, protected arts and culture funding for the community and worked across the aisle to bring back nearly $400,000 from the state to support a permanent Pulse memorial.
In the next 12 months, housing affordability, access to healthcare, environmental conservation, enhancing public education and the future of public transportation are some of her top priorities.
“I’m also focused on transparency in local government and ensuring that every Orlando resident—regardless of ZIP code—can thrive,” says Eskamani. “To make meaningful progress, we must close the gap between the private sector, nonprofit organizations, faith-based communities and government, bringing everyone to the table to co-create solutions that work. At the state level, I’ll continue to fight for these issues alongside upholding our values as a community that cares about diversity, safety and personal freedoms.”
Jerry Demings is passionate about public service, a field he’s been in for more than 44 years.
3. Jerry Demings | Orange County Mayor
Mayor Jerry Demings has dedicated more than 44 years to making a difference in people’s lives and ensuring their safety.
“This is my home, and I’m passionate about public service,” says Demings. “I’m deeply committed to improving our community and see this work as both a calling and a purpose. I’m fortunate to have a talented, experienced team helping meet the broad needs of Orange County residents.”
It has been a key focus of his administration, and in the past 12 months, Demings oversaw a $100 million accelerated safety plan to improve pedestrian and motorist safety. $55 million of that goes towards roadway lighting, sidewalks and safety improvements, while $45 million is earmarked for transit projects, such as enhancing LYNX’s operational frequency and building more bus shelters.
“I’m happy to say that we are well underway with that project,” says Demings. “As a result of the investment with LYNX, we see operational frequencies for the headways and wait time of buses being reduced significantly. We have additional routes that connect people to our tourism corridor and other job centers that are allowing expanded hours of operation and better connectivity that results in an improvement and ridership for the LYNX bus system.”
He’s also reshaping Central Florida’s growth plan with Vision 2050, an update to Orange County’s comprehensive plan recently accepted by the Florida Department of Commerce.
“This new growth management plan will set the stage for how we grow responsibly for the next several decades,” says Demings. “Vision 2050 will be implemented through the adoption of a new land development code called the Orange Code. The Orange County population is currently estimated to increase by 470,000 residents by 2050.”
Vision 2050 seeks to promote new and intensified urban development through infield and redevelopment with a greater mix of uses and enhances walkability.
In addition to managing population growth, Demings’ top priorities for the coming year include addressing housing affordability and improving transportation infrastructure.
“Orange County is experiencing a significant influx—between 800 to 1,500 new residents weekly—which is straining our roads and public services,” says Demings. “Without a robust, connected mass transit system, we risk further congestion and unsustainable development that could encroach on preservation lands.”
He says passing a charter county infrastructure sales tax would provide a sustainable funding source to meet the county’s growing transportation needs.
“The Board of County Commissioners will decide soon whether to pursue a 2026 ballot initiative,” Demings says.
The impact of federal immigration enforcement on Central Florida’s workforce is also a key concern.
“We’re focusing on economic diversification by recruiting advanced manufacturing and investing in our strong life sciences sector, supported by three medical schools and two law schools in our region.”
The need for affordable housing is one of the top items on Buddy Dyer’s agenda.
4. Buddy Dyer | Orlando Mayor
ν Buddy Dyer is the longest-serving mayor in Orlando history. But originally, he didn’t consider it part of his trajectory.
After 10 years in the state senate, Dyer was on his way to work in Washington D.C. when then Orlando mayor Glenda Hood, in the last year of her third term, was appointed by Jeb Bush to be Secretary of State. A special election for mayor was held.
“It wasn’t on my list, but I had represented 90 percent of the city in my senate district,” says Dyer. “The pastor of the largest African American church in Orlando said ‘you have to run for mayor because you’re the only one who can walk in every black church in the city and know the pastor and walk in the boardroom in every company in Orlando and know the CEO. You can bring our city together.’”
That message of unity is what has kept Dyer in the role for 22 years.
He recalls the launch of the Orlando Main Streets program early in his tenure as mayor, which supports small business owners and helps preserve neighborhood’s commercial districts.
“This year we’ve created partnerships to provide even more support to the districts to contribute to their long-term success and impact,” says Dyer. “We want to ensure that the districts remain places where small businesses can thrive and where families, friends and neighbors come together to connect and celebrate what makes Orlando so vibrant,” Dyer says.
Addressing homelessness and the urgent need for affordable housing are two of the most complex challenges that the City of Orlando has worked on this year.
“We’ve learned that in order to tackle these challenges, all government entities in our region must work together and residents must see past the myths about homelessness and affordable housing and say yes to offering housing and hope,” says Dyer.
That includes ongoing funding and initiatives like Accelerate Orlando, which has transformed a blighted hotel on West Colonial Drive into an affordable apartment community.
“Through a new program, 407 Connect, we hope to get more than 400 homeless individuals into housing over the next three years through custom-fabricated buses that will provide safe overnight shelter and access to day services for 40 individuals at a time,” says Dyer.
Expanding the region’s transit network is also a top priority.
“The potential creation of The Sunshine Corridor would connect the current north-south SunRail route to Orlando International Airport and also provide stops at the convention center and near the theme parks, all major employment centers,” says Dyer. “Residents from throughout our community could utilize rail to get to and from their jobs at locations like the airport, convention center hotels and attractions. At the same time, it would reduce traffic on our roads by helping to get visitors to many of the popular destinations that bring people from around the country and the globe to our region.”
John Mina is constantly looking for the best tools, training and technology for his employees.
5. John Mina | Orange County Sheriff
John Mina believes that the Orange County Sheriff’s Office is a model for law enforcement.
“We are constantly looking for the best equipment, technology and training, to give our deputies and civilian employees the most effective tools to do their jobs—which in turn keeps our residents and visitors safe,” says Mina. “We have invested in drones to aid our deputies while keeping them safe from danger. We give our analysts the best technology tools so they can help deputies in the field.”
In addition, says Mina, access to thousands of cameras is crucial, so that in the event of a critical incident (or a tragedy like a school shooting), the sheriff’s office has the best chance of ending those threats.
“We created the Threat Assessment/Threat Management Unit in our Intelligence section, so that every threat—whether it is against a school, a public official or a piece of critical infrastructure—is handled in the same unit,” says Mina.
Mina’s push for significant changes to state laws are among his greatest achievements in the past year.
“Since January, our deputies have issued on average more than 100 citations to people travelling over 100 mph—that’s in unincorporated Orange County alone,” says Mina. “With my Super Speeder law, which went into effect on July 1, anyone travelling over 100 miles per hour in a manner that threatens the safety of other people has committed the offense of Dangerous Excessive speeding, which is now an arrestable offense.”
“And most people weren’t aware that luring a child into a vehicle or a home, for example, was a misdemeanor—while luring a child online was a felony,” Mina adds. “My changes to the law [which also went into effect July 1] make it a felony to lure a child 14 years old or younger into a vehicle or any other structure.”
The physical and mental wellbeing of his nearly 3,000 personnel is always top of mind to Mina.
“In 2024, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office suffered a devastating loss when two of our lieutenants died—one by suicide and another was murdered,” Mina says. “Those deaths rocked our agency and served as a stark reminder that ‘it’s ok to not be ok,’ and allowed us to make a renewed push to ensure all of our employees are aware of and able to take advantage of the mental health and physical wellness resources available through the agency.”
In the next 12 months, says Mina, he will continue to expand the size of the sheriff’s office as the community continues to grow, and also continue to acquire the most up-to-date technology and equipment in order to keep the community safe.
“We have seen a significant decrease in crime—particularly violent crime—and we cannot shift our focus away from that,” Mina stresses.
Community engagement is crucial in helping to keep neighborhoods safe, says Eric D. Smith.
6. Eric D. Smith | Orlando Police Chief
To Eric D. Smith, community engagement is key to keeping neighborhoods safe.
“We need more citizen-generated calls for service because residents are our eyes and ears on the ground,” says Smith. “It’s essential that people feel empowered to communicate with us about what’s happening in their neighborhoods and what concerns they want us to address,” says Smith.
He points to the concerns a resident shared at a recent community meeting about suspicious activity people believed involved drug dealing at a nearby house in their neighborhood. “Acting on that information, I coordinated with our officers to investigate,” says Smith. “Within a week, the Drug Enforcement Division (DED) and SWAT executed a search warrant on the property, seized drugs and apprehended the individual involved.”
Smith is proud of how his department has fostered communication with the community. It recently launched the Orlando Police Department Community App, which was developed after residents consistently expressed frustration with navigating the City of Orlando’s website to find OPD resources.
“Since its launch in October 2024, the app has been opened more than 45,000 times, underscoring community participation,” says Smith. “Key features like real-time updates on active calls, neighborhood incident reports, an events calendar, online reporting for non-emergency issues and crime prevention resources have made it easier than ever for residents to stay informed and engaged.”
In reflecting on the past 12 months, Smith ponders the impact of the strategic changes he’s made since taking office.
“During this time, we’ve seen a 6 percent reduction in overall violent crime, a 44 percent decrease in shootings and a 36 percent drop in burglaries. In the past year alone, homicides have declined by 57 percent compared to the previous year, and we currently have a 100 percent homicide solve rate,” says Smith.
“These results are a direct reflection of targeted initiatives such as bringing back the Tactical Crime Unit (TAC), boosting specialized bike patrols in downtown and Parramore and assigning seasoned detectives with homicide experience to lead investigations,” Smith adds. “These efforts have been essential to our success in making Orlando safer.”
Darren M. Soto’s strong bipartisan partnerships help him get things done for his constituents.
7. Darren M. Soto | U. S. Representative, 9th District
Darren soto was the first person of Puerto Rican descent to serve in Congress when he was elected in 2016 to represent Osceola County and parts of Orange and Polk counties.
He says it is absolutely critical to educate the public on “the Big Ugly Law.”
“It made record cuts to Obamacare, Medicaid, SNAP and Pell grants while increasing our debt to a record $4 trillion to pay for billionaire tax cuts we can’t afford,” says Soto. “Simultaneously, we will need to fight these cuts during Congress’s budget process and ultimately in the courts.”
Another important issue to address in the next 12 months is to oppose Republican efforts to illegally gerrymander Florida’s congressional district map in violation of the Florida Constitution.
“This is a blatant effort to cheat and steal elections, giving lawmakers the ability to choose their voters rather than giving voters the power to choose their representatives,” says Soto.
But although it’s a divisive time for the country, Soto says it’s important to reach across the aisle.
“I am eager to passionately debate my Republican colleagues, but I don’t make it personal,” he says. “We vigorously debate ideas for the good of the nation. I have a particularly strong relationship with Florida Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee and Republicans in the Problem Solvers Caucus.”
“Nonetheless,” he adds, “there are times you have to stand up for what’s right and call out illegal behavior. I will continue to call out egregious actions as I see them.”
Soto says the $6 billion SunRail/Brightline expansion, which would connect the SunRail to the airport and the theme parks and extend Brightline service to Tampa, could be a game-changer for Orlando.
“We have already secured a $16 million federal CRISI grant for design, local governments have approved matching design funding and local theme parks created The Sunshine Corridor to generate additional revenue to support the project,” says Soto. “We are going to continue to strive to give Central Floridians choices and improve traffic. Whether you want to drive, fly, take the train or bus, we will have you covered.”
Soto recently had the opportunity to work with the Florida Department of Transportation on federal and state road projects like the I-4 Expansion and Poinciana Parkway Extension, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission on Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and Kissimmee River restorations, manatee protection, Red Snapper season and more.
“These bipartisan partnerships are critical to getting major projects and goals over the finish line for our community,” he says.
Carlos Guillermo Smith believes in uplifting the next generation.
8. Carlos Guillermo Smith | State Senator, Florida Senate District 17
In 2024, Carlos Guillermo Smith ran unopposed for his Florida State Senate seat. He works to restore freedom and equality for all Floridians, and to build a more affordable future for the state. His leadership style is rooted in empowerment and inclusion, with a strong focus on creating meaningful opportunities for young people to engage in the political process.
“I believe in lifting up the next generation by giving them a seat at the table, listening to their ideas and helping them build the skills and confidence needed to lead,” says Smith.
He’s also pushing for more oversight and accountability that taxpayers deserve. Smith has joined with four other Democratic colleagues in filing a joint lawsuit against the State of Florida to gain unlimited access to the Everglades detention camp.
“Our statutory oversight authority has already forced the state to open the facility up to elected leaders,” says Smith.
His most significant achievement this past year, he says, is the passage of SB 1514.
“Getting meaningful legislation signed into law by the governor as a member of the minority party was no easy task, but it was worth it,” says Smith. “The passage of SB 1514, which requires K-8 Florida public school staff be trained and ready to administer EpiPens to students experiencing anaphylaxis before, during and after school hours, will save lives.”
Modernizing the way Central Florida uses the Tourist Development Taxes (TDT) can be a game-changer for our region, says Smith.
“The movement to expand the use of TDT revenue to fund destination infrastructure like workforce housing, public safety and public transit ensures a more impactful use of our public dollars,” he says. “State-level reforms to give local governments the flexibility to use TDT to address those community needs are long-overdue and can help Central Florida realize our full tourism potential without raising taxes a single penny.”
Patty Sheehan was the first openly gay candidate to win a city council seat in Orlando.
9. Patty Sheehan | Orlando City Commissioner, District 4
Patty Sheehan was first elected to the Orlando City Council in 2000 and is the longest serving elected official in Orlando history.
Sheehan gets things done by simply rolling up her sleeves and doing it. Her most significant achievements in the past year include securing funding and support for the Pulse Memorial—and advocating for Orange County to help—getting decorative crosswalks installed throughout the district for pedestrian safety, building public support for Corrine/Virginia bike and pedestrian improvements and increasing the holiday displays at Lake Eola Park, which brought thousands of visitors downtown.
“My motivation is to find out what constituents need and provide it to them at a reasonable cost,” she says. “Literally management by walking around. I walk four to six miles every day. You can see a lot when you slow down and take a walk.”
A gamechanger for Orlando, she says, would be finding a way to help others afford housing and get off the street.
“There is a fear of homeless people, mainly caused by poorly run facilities,” says Sheehan. “We can and should do it correctly. Helping others needs to be part of our common human existence again.”
Sheehan hoped to establish a shelter on Kaley Street to help get the unhoused get into permanent supportive housing. But opposition was overwhelming, and it was scrapped. “It honestly broke my heart to see so many people and organizations in our community demonize those less fortunate,” says Sheehan. “It taught me that we need to encourage thoughtful discussion rather than shouting at each other in fear. And that we have work to do to give a voice to those who want to help others.”
In the next 12 months, Sheehan will address major road construction projects such as the Summerlin reconstruction and rebricking and complete drainage projects throughout district, bid the Pulse Memorial project and begin construction and phase the improvements at Lake Eola Park, including completing a new swan rehabilitation pen.
Kelly Cohen has redefined what it means to be a businesswoman. The Southern Group Orlando celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
10. Kelly Cohen | Managing Partner, The Southern Group Orlando
“Strategy is my foundation,” says Kelly Cohen, “but relationships are my superpower.”
The lobbyist, strategist and fundraiser, a perennial name on Florida’s “most powerful” and “most influential” lists, is celebrating The Southern Group’s 20th anniversary in Orlando this year.
“When I began, there were few women at the table and little recognition of the power of local government in shaping economic outcomes,” says Cohen. “Two decades later, I’ve helped redefine both of those spaces within the lobbying industry in Florida—building bridges between business and government, mentoring women into leadership and demonstrating how cities and counties can be drivers of transformative growth. I’m proud of the impact—and excited for what’s next.”
Speaking of what’s next, Cohen says Orange County redistricting and pivotal elections coming up next year offer a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the region’s leadership and direction.
“I’m committed to ensuring we have informed, forward-thinking voices at the table—leaders who understand the intersection of policy, innovation and community,” says Cohen.
She says that for Orlando to be a leader in the business sector, we must boldly tell Orlando’s story—one of innovation, talent and global impact.
“We are already a national force in entertainment, defense tech and semiconductors,” says Cohen. “Now, we must continue to invest in our strengths and accelerate growth in emerging sectors like AI. That means investing in workforce pipelines, attracting top-tier talent and doubling down on public-private partnerships. Orlando has the assets—now it’s about connecting the dots and committing to a shared vision for long-term, inclusive prosperity.”
She’s motivated by the belief that smart policy can change lives.
“I see government affairs as a platform for driving meaningful, lasting change—connecting ideas to action and people to opportunity,” says Cohen. “Whether I’m helping a business grow or advancing a community initiative, I’m driven by the impact we can create when we work together with vision and heart.”
