Disney Donates $100K to Stephanie Murphy for Orange County Mayor

Disney Experiences donated $100,000 to Stephanie Murphy’s campaign for Orange County, Florida mayor. Between all four candidates, nearly $3 million has been raised, more than the 2018 election, which was the last time an incumbent wasn’t running.

Stephanie Murphy Earns Disney’s Support

Disney Experiences donated $100,000 to Stephanie Murphy's campaign for Orange County, Fl mayor.

Disney’s donation appears to be their largest-ever contribution to a local candidate. The company didn’t respond to Orlando Sentinel‘s request for comment.

In addition to Disney’s $100k, Murphy received $250,000 from Center Aisle PAC, a committee she founded to support centrist candidates; $150,000 from J. Hyatt Brown; $125,000 from Beat Kähli; and $100,000 from Michael Bloomberg. Murphy previously backed Bloomberg’s 2020 presidential campaign.

Murphy’s committee Forging Florida’s Future has also received about $338,000 in traditional contributions for a total of over $1.1 million. She said the support is a sign of her campaign’s strength.

“Everybody who has supported me has bought into this notion that we need to have affordability, livability and opportunity for people across this county,” Murphy said. “People who support me know exactly what I’m about and they’re supporting me because they understand that is something this community needs.”

Murphy, a Democrat from Winter Park, served as U.S. representative for Florida’s 7th congressional district, including parts of Orange and Seminole counties, from 2017 to 2023.

Fellow Democrat Mayra Uribe, a sitting county commissioner from Orlando, has raised $808,000. Uribe believes Disney didn’t support her because of her attempts to curtail the influence of the tourism industry.

Clerk of the Courts Tiffany Moore Russell, also a Democrat, from Winter Garden has about $325,000. Russell said she had been in communication with Disney before learning about their contribution to Murphy’s campaign and called the $100,000 figure “shocking.”

Chris Messina, a Republic from Winter Park, has raised $134,000.

The primary election is August 18. If nobody receives more than 50% of the vote, a runoff vote will be held in November between the top two candidates.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.