Elizabeth Ingram and Craig Russell Sworn In as New Commissioners

Both ran unopposed. The commission paid tribute to Marty Sullivan, who is leaving Seat 1.

March 26, 2026

By Beth Kassab

New City Commissioner Elizabeth Ingram was sworn in Wednesday, while Commissioner Craig Russell took the oath of office for his second term. Both ran unopposed.

Ingram, who raised about $25,000 for her campaign, said she was glad to have her first meeting under her belt and thanked city staff for meeting with her in recent months as she prepared for the role.

“I’ve learned so much this past year getting ready for this, and I’m excited to be here,” Ingram said near the end of Wednesday’s meeting.

Ingram’s husband, Justin, held her mother’s Bible as she was sworn in during the public meeting, while their three young children stood beside them.

She then hugged outgoing Seat 1 Commissioner Marty Sullivan and took her seat on the dais.

Sullivan, who opted not to run for a third term, said he is considering resuming some of his work in environmental advocacy.

“Many decisions were easy when it came to police, fire, roads, water and electricity,” Sullivan said at his final meeting earlier this month. “But some were difficult. Urban density—how do we deal with that? Taxation—we deal with that question every year. Gas leaf blowers—it didn’t come out the way I wanted, but we dealt with it. New development appropriate for our urban village? But for the most part, I believe my values have aligned with yours—our citizens—and with my fellow commissioners.”

Mayor Sheila DeCiccio said she felt as though a piece of her was leaving, noting that Sullivan has been present for her entire tenure since they were both first elected in 2020.

“Commissioner Marty Sullivan has given six years of dedicated service to our city, including this past year as vice mayor,” DeCiccio said. “Throughout that time, he has brought thoughtful leadership, steady judgment and a genuine commitment to the well-being of our community. While serving in public office is incredibly rewarding, it also requires real sacrifice.”

Russell, a teacher and coach at Winter Park High School, took the oath of office for his second term with his wife, Kate Demory, holding a Bible at his side.

Russell did not raise any funds this election—a stark contrast to his 2024 campaign, when he raised about $100,000 and also received tens of thousands of dollars from Winter PAC, the political action committee affiliated with the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce.

He defeated two opponents in that race and made history as the first Black commissioner elected in Winter Park in more than 100 years.

This time, he contributed $250 of his own money to cover his candidate filing fee and donated a leftover $82 to Men of Integrity Mentoring Program Inc., according to campaign finance reports.

“This go-around, there was no reason for any money,” Russell said, noting he did not draw an opponent.

Winter PAC raised less than $2,000 this cycle, according to campaign reports, and did not provide any funds to candidates.

Russell, who, like Ingram, was a political newcomer and first-time candidate in 2024, said he has worked to broaden his base of support over the past two years.

“I campaigned on ‘I’m nobody’s puppet,’” he said, noting that a number of people who did not support him the first time have since reached out to congratulate him on his second term.

“Those were very meaningful and thoughtful conversations I’ve had,” he said.

He said he has also heard from previous major Winter PAC and campaign donors, including Frank Hamner, longtime attorney for the Holler family, which has significant land holdings in Winter Park.

Hamner was present at Russell’s first meeting in 2024 but was not in the audience this week.

“He sent me a message, and he said congratulations,” Russell said. “And I also got congratulations that I definitely didn’t get the first time.”

Among his top priorities, Russell said, is continuing to “lean into public safety” by promoting awareness around electric bikes and scooters, as well as educating voters on the potential downsides of property tax cuts being pushed by the DeSantis administration.

If such cuts come to fruition in a special legislative session, they could require sacrificing a “high level” of city services, he said.

City Manager Randy Knight canceled a budget workshop that had been scheduled for Thursday after the Legislature failed to take action on property tax cuts during its regular 60-day session, which ended earlier this month.

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