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The2002 Orange County, Florida, Chairman election took place on September 10, 2002. Following the resignation of ChairmanMel Martínez to becomeU.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in 2001, GovernorJeb Bush appointed County Property AppraiserRich Crotty to serve out the remaining two years of Martínez's term.[1] In 2002, Crotty ran in the regular election for a full term. He was opposed by nonprofit executive Diana Vazquez Cook and write-in candidate Timothy Devine. The election was held on September 10, 2002, the date of the statewide primary. Crotty defeated Vasquez Cook in a landslide, winning 73 percent of the vote.
Following a 2004 amendment to the county charter that changed the name of the position to "Mayor," this was the last election for "Chairman."[2]
When Crotty was sworn in as Chairman, he immediately announced that he would run in 2002 for a full term.[3] His only challenger on the ballot was Diana Vazquez Cook, an executive at an affordable housing nonprofit.[4] However, shortly before the filing deadline, a write-in candidate, Republican Timothy Devine, filed to run. Had only two candidates appeared on the ballot, the election would have been scheduled for November 5, 2002, but Devine's candidacy required that a primary election take place.[5]
During the campaign, Vazquez Cook struggled to raise money and had little name recognition.[7] Polling in the race indicated that Crotty would easily win a majority of the vote, with Vazquez Cook attracting comparatively little support.[8]
TheOrlando Sentinel endorsed Crotty for re-election, noting that he had "no serious competition in the race." It criticized Vazquez Cook for "offer[ing] no meat in her campaign beyond vague assertions that the county needs stronger leadership." TheSentinel praised Crotty for having "some notable achievements since being appointed," and observed that he "has the potential to be a strong voice for change."[9]
Crotty ultimately defeated Vazquez Cook in a landslide, which he claimed gave him "a strong mandate to lead."[10]
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size[a] | Margin of error | Rich Crotty | Diana Vazquez Cook | Other / Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy[8] | August 26–28, 2002 | 800 (CV) | ± 3.5% | 59% | 12% | 29% |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Rich Crotty (inc.) | 100,689 | 72.75% | |
| Nonpartisan | Diana Vazquez Cook | 37,589 | 27.16% | |
| Write-in | 123 | 0.09% | ||
| Total votes | 25,656 | 100.00% | ||
