Longtime community activist Lawanna Gelzer is running for District 5 City Commissioner offering change in Orlando as an alternative to what she calls failed leadership from the previous two commissioners, who happen to both be her current political opponents in the race.
For over four decades, Lawanna Gelzer has been an advocate and community leader dedicated to improving the lives of Orlando residents. She has extensive experience involved with various nonprofit organizations, which she said will help her as city commissioner. She has also been one of the few committed voices at Orlando City Council meetings on important local issues for many years.
With deep roots in the community as the co-owner of the Peabo Childcare Center in Parramore for 45 years, she has consistently demonstrated a profound commitment to service, equity, and justice. She said that her extensive experience, spanning leadership roles in more than 30 community organizations, has prepared her to represent the interests of District 5 on the Orlando City Council and get results for the community.
Calling herself a “Champion for Environmental Justice and Public Health,” Lawanna Gelzer has been at the forefront of tackling pressing environmental and health challenges in Orlando and Central Florida. She is currently administering an EPA grant focused on air quality in the community. Recognizing the impact of pollution on underserved neighborhoods, Gelzer said she secured over $750,000 in funding from the EPA and other philanthropic organizations for the groundbreaking air quality study that utilizes local community scientists.
Lawanna Gelzer is running on a platform for District 5 in Orlando that her campaign says is a direct reflection of her life’s work and includes:
- Climate and Environmental Resilience
- Safe and Attainable/Affordable Housing
- Addressing the Crisis of Homelessness
- Enhanced Public Safety and Improve Police Relations
- Robust Youth, Veteran, & Senior Programs
- A Livable Wage Initiative
- Improved Transportation and Infrastructure
Lawanna Gelzer said that she has an unwavering commitment to fighting corruption and a long record of tangible results, which makes her prepared to represent and carry out the agenda for District 5.
A campaign mailer from Gelzer hit both of her current opponents, saying: “Whether it’s the old suspended commissioner or current interim commissioner, the result is FAILURE.” Her campaign used ongoing issues like homelessness, a lack of affordable housing, and economic hardship as examples of the failures of the other two candidates as City Commissioner.
Lawanna Gelzer said she is ready to lead and that it is time for change in Orlando’s District 5. She has pointed out that both of her opponents have had the opportunity to serve and came up short for the community, making her the only true alternative in the race.
It is a hotly contested race between suspended former Commissioner Regina Hill, who still faces an upcoming trial on serious felony charges, and Interim Commissioner Shan Rose.
Election Day for the upcoming Orlando municipal election for District 5 City Commissioner is November 4, 2025 and polls will be open 7am to 7pm. Early Voting will be October 27th to November 2nd at select times at the Orange County Supervisor of Elections office on Kaley St. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is October 23rd.
RELATED: Orlando Commissioner Shan Rose Campaigns on Real Results for District 5
