Candidate Profile: Kamia Brown

Kamia Brown spent 14 years in the state legislature working for elected officials — including State Rep. Bruce Antone who represents Ocoee and Orlando — before she decided to put her own name on the ballot. The Ocoee mom won election to the Florida House where she served three terms from 2016 to 2022, eventually leading the Florida Legislative Black Caucus.

She made a bid for the state Senate in 2022 but, lost to the late Geraldine F. Thompson. Brown took a hiatus from politics, working for a time in the insurance sector, then the Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease Research as director of government affairs. When the Orange County Commission District 2 seat opened up, she seized the opportunity to go back into politics.

Brown, 45, faces a crowded field in the nonpartisan Aug. 18. election that includes Ocoee City Commissioner George Oliver III; Wes Hodge, chief of staff to Orange County Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad; private practice attorney Marsha Summersill; and Orange County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Mike Crabb.

County commissioners serve for four years and earn $127,320.

Here, Brown answered questions from the News Collaborative of Central Florida.

If elected, what are the three most pressing problems you want to address, and what do you suggest to solve them?

Streamlining permitting services/delays. Lengthy permitting and inspection timelines create unnecessary costs and delays for businesses, so I would support streamlining processes, improving technology systems, increasing accountability, and setting measurable turnaround standards.

Affordable workforce housing and retainment. I support workforce and attainable housing initiatives, stronger workforce development partnerships, and policies that help businesses attract and retain employees. Orange County must create an environment where businesses can grow efficiently while residents can continue to afford to live and work here.

Transportation and infrastructure improvements. Transportation congestion and infrastructure demands also continue to impact economic growth, which is why I support strategic investments in roads, mobility, and long-term infrastructure planning that keeps pace with development.

Why do you deserve to elected in this race?

I'm running for Orange County Commission because I believe our community deserves leadership that is accessible, accountable, and focused on delivering real results. As our county continues to grow, we need someone who can balance economic opportunity with protecting the neighborhoods, natural resources, and quality of life that make Orange County a great place to live.

My priorities are straightforward: making housing more attainable, improving infrastructure and transportation, supporting small businesses, streamlining the permitting process, and investing in workforce development so residents have access to good-paying careers. I believe every decision should be guided by what's best for our community, not by politics or special interests.

What sets me apart is my commitment to listening to residents and bringing people together to solve problems. I understand that county government works best when it is transparent, fiscally responsible, and responsive to the people it serves. I would be honored to earn your support and the opportunity to be a commissioner who leads with integrity, works collaboratively, and delivers meaningful results for every resident of District 2.

According to a University of North Florida poll, Floridians say affordability is their top issue. What are your solutions for dealing with Florida’s affordability issue?

One of my top priorities is making Orange County more affordable for working families, young professionals, seniors, and longtime residents. I support expanding affordable and workforce housing by encouraging development near jobs and transit while partnering with responsible developers to create more attainable housing opportunities. We need smart, community-focused solutions that help people live where they work and build a stronger, more inclusive Orange County.

Will you vote Yes or No on the constitutional amendment to slash property taxes and explain your position. How would you replace lost revenue – fees and/or service reductions?

I will vote no on slashing property taxes. Property taxes provide a significant portion of the funding that Orange County relies on to deliver essential services, from public safety and transportation to parks, libraries, and programs that support families and seniors. If that revenue were no longer available, we would need to have an honest, community-driven conversation about how to responsibly fund those services without leaving residents behind. My first priority would be making sure every taxpayer dollar is being spent wisely. We should regularly evaluate county programs, eliminate waste and duplication where it exists, and ensure our investments are producing meaningful results for the people we serve.

At the same time, we must diversify our local economy by supporting small businesses, attracting quality jobs, and encouraging responsible economic development that grows our tax base without sacrificing our quality of life. We should also maximize opportunities to secure state and federal funding, strengthen public-private partnerships where appropriate, and explore innovative funding solutions that don't place an unfair burden on working families.Any significant change to how Orange County is funded should be guided by transparency, public input, and a commitment to equity. As County Commissioner, I will always work to protect the services our residents depend on while ensuring our county remains fiscally responsible, sustainable, and a place where every family has the opportunity to thrive.

Utility costs are rising for customers in Florida, and the proliferation of data centers is expected to exacerbate that issue. How should Florida’s utility regulators respond?

Florida families are already paying too much for electricity, and we can't let growing demand from large data centers drive those costs even higher. I believe the biggest energy users should pay their fair share instead of passing those costs on to homeowners and small businesses. Our utility regulators should put consumers first by demanding transparency, carefully reviewing major projects, and making sure any new investments actually benefit Floridians. We can support economic growth while still protecting working families from higher utility bills.

What do you think is the biggest environmental issue your government should address in Florida?

I believe one of the biggest environmental challenges we face is managing growth responsibly while protecting the natural resources that make Florida unique. We have to safeguard our wetlands, waterways, and wildlife corridors because they're essential to our quality of life, our economy, and our resilience during storms. That means making smart infrastructure investments, holding developers accountable, and ensuring growth doesn't come at the expense of clean water and healthy communities. We can protect our environment while still supporting thoughtful economic development.