The Orange County Democratic Party brought together hundreds of Democrats, elected officials, candidates, activists, and community leaders for its annual Victory Blue Bash at the Winter Park Events Center. This year’s theme, “Still We Rise: Honoring Resilience in the Fight for Justice & Democracy,” set the tone for an evening focused not only on celebrating Democratic leadership in Central Florida, but also on building momentum for the November election. Speakers including Orange County Democratic Party Chair Samuel Vilchez Santiago, State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith, gubernatorial nominee David Jolly and other Democratic leaders emphasized the importance of turnout, grassroots organizing and electing Democrats up and down the ballot.
The program also highlighted the organizers and community groups doing year-round work throughout Orange County. Among those recognized was Ericka Gómez-Tejeda for her advocacy and organizing on behalf of immigrant families, while the Lake Nona Democrats received the Grass Roots Activism Award for rapidly building a strong neighborhood organization and helping elect Democratic candidates locally. The recognitions reinforced one of the evening’s central messages: Democratic victories in Orange County are being built through sustained community engagement, volunteerism and organizing between elections—not simply during campaign season.
The Blue Bash demonstrated the organizational strength and enthusiasm Democrats are carrying into the final stretch of the 2026 election. With Orange County continuing to serve as one of Florida’s strongest Democratic bases, the gathering provided an opportunity to connect candidates with activists, recognize successful local organizing and refocus supporters on the work ahead. The energy coming out of the event was centered on converting Orange County’s Democratic strength into voter turnout and victories in November, both locally and statewide.
