Samuel Chambers

Samuel Chambers

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Orlando City Council District 3

Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District District 1

Tenure

2023 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

2

Predecessor

Nate Douglas

Report an officeholder change

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 8, 2022

Next election

November 4, 2025

Education

Associate

Valencia College, 2018

Bachelor's

Florida State University, 2020

Graduate

Florida State University, 2021

Personal

Birthplace

Orlando, Fla.

Contact

Personal LinkedIn

Samuel Chambers is a member of the Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District in Florida, representing District 1. He assumed office on January 3, 2023. His current term ends on January 2, 2027.

Chambers is running for election to the Orlando City Council to represent District 3 in Florida. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.^[source]

Biography

Samuel Chambers was born in Orlando, Florida. He earned an associate degree from Valencia College in 2018 and both a bachelor’s and graduate degree from Florida State University.

Elections

2025

See also: City elections in Orlando, Florida (2025)

General election

The general election will occur on November 4, 2025.

General election for Orlando City Council District 3

Samuel Chambers, Roger Chapin, Chris Durant, Kimberly Kiss, and Mira Tanna are running in the general election for Orlando City Council District 3 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Samuel Chambers (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Roger Chapin (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Chris Durant (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Kimberly Kiss (Nonpartisan)
		Mira Tanna (Nonpartisan)

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	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Aaron Lewis (Nonpartisan)
• Jason Albu (Nonpartisan)

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

2022

See also: Municipal elections in Orange County, Florida (2022)

General election

Reason canceled : Unopposed candidate

2021

See also: City elections in Orlando, Florida (2021)

General election

General election for Orlando City Council District 3

Incumbent Robert Stuart defeated Nicolette Springer and Samuel Chambers in the general election for Orlando City Council District 3 on November 2, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robert Stuart (Nonpartisan)	50.7	3,539
	Submit photo	Nicolette Springer (Nonpartisan)	44.0	3,073
		Samuel Chambers (Nonpartisan)	5.3	369

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 6,981
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Martin Fugate (Nonpartisan)

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Samuel Chambers has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2025 Candidate Connection survey. If you are Samuel Chambers, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2025 Candidate Connection survey.

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2022

Samuel Chambers did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2021

Samuel Chambers completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Chambers' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was born and raised in Orlando, Fl, specifically in District 3, the area I will represent and serve as Orlando City Commissioner. I went to school at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School, Edgewater High School, and Valencia College, all located right here in Orlando. So much of the reason I am where I am today is because of the great people of District 3. By running to be a city commissioner, I hope to give back to those who have already helped me so much. District 3 is a large and diverse area stretching from the Baldwin Park community to the Rosemont neighborhood. That is why I will work to help every Orlando, no matter their background. To achieve this, I am endorsing a set of bold and progressive policies. I support universal free school meals at our public schools and abolishing debt held by parents who are just trying to feed their children. I support investing in Green Technology to not only save our environment but to make Orlando the Green Jobs capital of America. I will work to end the food deserts that plague our most disenfranchised communities. Lastly, I will fight to end homelessness in Orlando.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• A Modern Progressive Candidate
• Building a Diverse Coalition
• Investing in Our Community, Not the Corporations

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate in a number of areas.

I am particularly concerned with the environment and that is why I am for divesting from coal, currently the number 1 producer of energy in Orlando, and reinvest that into green energy.

I worry about our homelessness crisis. That is why I am for ending laws that criminalize homelessness while also not just sheltering the homeless, but housing them.

It is concerning to me that so many families cannot afford to feed their children at school. That is why I will work to establish universal free school meals across the city. Additionally, I will forgive all debt that was incurred by families just trying to purchase their child a meal at school.

Our poor communities have an issue with accessing food as they live in what are called food deserts. If large grocery stores say it is unprofitable to open their doors in these neighborhoods, then it is the city's job to give them access to healthy and nutritious food. That is why I support opening select publically funded markets to ensure everyone has access to food.

Sadly so many young men and women in our Black and Brown communities are arrested often for nonviolent drug offenses. That is why I will not only work to reform the Orlando Police Department and end "Broken Windows" policing but to decriminalize the possession of marijuana.

Lastly, I stand with our LGBTQ+ Community and I proudly say, Black Lives Matter!

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Although a lot of attention is focused at the federal level of politics, the local government is often the most responsive and beholden to the people. I believe the powers of the Orlando City Council can be used to directly improve the lives of those in the city. Because the city government is so representative of the people, with a little bit of pressure, it is easy to get the change the people deserve.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

One of the most important principles for an elected official to possess is that they are principled. No matter what, they will always stick by their convictions. When they talk, they regularly speak the truth and believe in what they say. Whenever you look at their stances on the issues or their policy solutions, they are consistent. That way, when people head to the polls, they completely understand what kind of person they will have representing them. Too often do people vote for someone thinking they will act one way, yet once in office, they act completely different, often to the benefit of special interests.
I promise I will always speak the truth, I will never stray away from my policy beliefs, and I will be the person you elected me to be.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

A unique quality of mine that makes me fit for this position is I am not beholden or influenced by any large corporation, lobbyist, or special interests. I promise to accept contributions straight from everyday citizens. When I take office, I will not have to walk on eggshells to garner the support of voters for reelection while ultimately catering to the desires of corporations and the elite. I will wholeheartedly fight for policies in which I believe while serving my constituents here in District 3. There will not be "Hard Votes" for me. I will always stick to my convictions and the will of my community. I will not have to decide whether to give aid to special interests or to my constituents. Those who elect me to serve will forever and always be at the forefront of my decision-making process.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

A core responsibility of someone elected to this office is to continue to fight for the policies they pushed for while on the campaign trail. Too often do politicians profess all the good they will do for the public. Yet once in office, they cater to the whims of lobbyists, corporations, and special interests. When it comes to progressive change, they introduce weak bills that get weaker as it moves along the lawmaking process. In the end, little change is ever made once it becomes law. As such, the public fails to receive the reforms it so desperately deserves.
Because I believe in my bold positions, I will fight to ensure the result is not watered-down. I will do everything in my power to ensure the progressive reforms I am running on, such as a living minimum wage, ending homelessness, and investing in green technology, are brought to our community.

What legacy would you like to leave?

The legacy I want to leave is one where people truly believe their lives changed for the better. I do not want to be recognized as the man who attended ribbon-cutting ceremonies or expensive fundraisers. I want to be known as the man who solved issues that have impacted our city for decades.

I will stop homelessness by not only repealing existing laws criminalizing being homeless, but I will work to find permanent housing solutions.
I will guarantee no one working a full-time job has to rely on public assistance to make ends meet by fighting for a living minimum wage.
I will ensure no child goes hungry while at school by establishing a universal free school meal program. I will also cancel all debt held by parents who were only trying to purchase a school meal for their child.
I will end the continued systematic imprisonment of young Black and Brown men and women who commit nonviolent drug offenses by decriminalizing the possession of marijuana.
I will also halt exporting our energy jobs through the continued use of fossil fuels. I will invest public dollars to not only save the environment through the adoption of renewable energy but to create a boom in green jobs right here in Orlando.

By fighting for all these policies, I truly believe the lives of many Orlandoans will be improved. I hope to be the one responsible for that change. That is the legacy I would like to keep.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember when Barack Obama became the 1st Black President. I was only 8 at the time and I did not understand much about politics then. Now being a grown adult, I see how impactful that truly was.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I worked at a Chick-fil-a for just over a year when I was a teenager where I made just $8.50 per hour. My experience there taught me how important it is to guarantee every worker a living wage.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

I would like to be Senator Jefferson Smith from "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." He gets the privilege of a lifetime being selected to not only represent his country but his state. Despite all the pressure he receives from corrupt individuals, he stands by his convictions and continues to stand up for what is right.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

"You Can Call Me Al" by Paul Simon

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Unlike the US Constitution that grants specific powers to the Federal Government and the States, the Florida Constitution gives absolute authority to the State. As such, it often becomes difficult for cities to do things on their own. However, as an elected official such as a city commissioner, you are given a better connection to state representatives and senators. If the city government is incapable of implementing an ordinance on its own, a city commissioner can easily ask a state legislator to introduce and try to pass a local or special bill thereby granting municipalities the freedom to act. In sum, the power of this position comes not from its inherent authority, but rather from the connections it has with state officials.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

I think it is beneficial for the officeholder to have experience with those who they represent. Oftentimes we see an issue where a government official has been in power for decades. When you ask their constituents their opinion of the officeholder, they are often negative or neutral at best. A good politician needs to understand the issues affecting their constituents.

I have lived in this district all my life. I know the issues that impact our community as well as the people who are affected. Furthermore, because I am a member of the generation now beginning to enter the workforce, I know the issues that plague those who will soon become our next leaders and entrepreneurs. I think the issues that our younger generations face are often overlooked in today's politics. This is especially the case when those representing us have been in power for almost as long as I have been alive.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

A good skill to have to be an effective lawmaker is to understand the lawmaking process and what goes into making a bill become a law. In general, to be successful in politics is to get things done. To do that, you have to know how to get them accomplished.
I have spent my entire college career, both as an undergraduate and graduate student, learning the lawmaking process on the federal, state, and local levels. My experience serving our community by working with one of our great state legislators helped to not expand my current knowledge and experience, but to reinforce all that I had learned thus far. During my first day in office, I will possess the knowledge necessary to implement my bold agenda designed to assist the citizens of District 3 and Orlando at large.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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