A Lifetime of Leadership for Orange County
I am running for the Orange County Commission, District 3, to bring practical solutions and accountable leadership to the community I am proud to call home. With decades of public service and a long history of standing up for local families and neighborhoods, I am ready to return to county government with the same compassion and determination that has defined my career. I believe Orange County deserves a leader who truly listens – someone who understands the everyday challenges residents face and works tirelessly to make our communities safer, stronger, and better connected. I am committed to ensuring that District 3, and all of Orange County, remains a place where every family has the opportunity to thrive.
Meet Linda Stewart
Linda Stewart has dedicated her life to strengthening the Central Florida community she has called home since 1950. Born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, she moved to Florida as a child and grew up in the heart of Orlando, where she learned firsthand the values of hard work, service, and looking out for your neighbors. She graduated from Boone High School before continuing her education at Valencia Community College and later pursuing independent studies in Europe. Linda and her husband, Jerry, raised their three children in Orange County, all proud graduates of Orange County Public Schools. Her experiences as a mother, neighbor, and lifelong resident of the county have grounded her belief that public service is at its best when it protects the families, schools, and communities we love.
For more than two decades, Linda has been a trusted advocate for the people of Orange County. She represented the community in the Florida Senate from 2016 to 2024, championing policies rooted in fairness, public safety, environmental protection, and equal opportunity. Before serving in the Senate, she represented central Orange County in the Florida House of Representatives from 2012 to 2016 and spent eight years on the Orange County Commission, including service as Vice Mayor. In every role, she brought a neighbor’s perspective to state and local government, focusing on practical solutions that improve everyday life and honoring the voices of the people who make Orange County such a vibrant place to live.
In November 2024, Linda’s dedication to accountability and ethical leadership led to her appointment to the Florida Commission on Ethics, where she continues working to protect the public trust. Ensuring transparency and integrity in government has always been central to her approach, and this role reflects her deep commitment to serving Floridians with honesty and respect.
Linda’s community involvement extends far beyond elected office. She has served on MetroPlan Orlando, contributing to transportation plans that support a growing region, and she founded Mothers Against Racing in the Streets (MARS) to address dangerous street racing and keep families safe. Her advocacy has earned recognition from organizations such as Equality Florida and the Harvey Milk Foundation - honors that speak to her compassion, courage, and dedication to standing up for those whose voices are too often overlooked.
Above all, Linda’s work is shaped by her love for Orange County. She believes in the strength of its neighborhoods, the resilience of its families, and the potential of every person who calls it home. Through every chapter of her career, her mission has remained the same: to listen, to serve, and to help build a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
