MEET WES

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About

Experience

Community Involvement

Wes Hodge is a two-time cancer survivor with a long-standing commitment to public service and community engagement in Orange County. He moved to the area with his family nearly 40 years ago and grew up in Orlando, building deep roots and a strong understanding of the region’s needs and opportunities.

Throughout his career, Wes has worked on a wide range of local initiatives and campaigns, developing experience in strategic planning, community outreach, and policy development. His work has focused on issues that directly impact residents’ quality of life, including affordable housing, transportation infrastructure, economic development, environmental sustainability, and responsible growth.

Wes served for six years as Chair of the Orange County Democratic Party in a volunteer capacity, where he helped expand community involvement and strengthen organizational operations. His leadership emphasized collaboration, engagement, and bringing together diverse perspectives to address shared challenges.

In his professional roles, Wes has contributed to the development of policies and proposals related to housing affordability, permitting processes, and local economic priorities. He has worked with community leaders, stakeholders, and public officials to identify practical solutions that balance growth with the preservation of neighborhood character and long-term sustainability.

Wes also served as a Political Analyst for Spectrum News 13 from 2018 to 2023, where he provided insight into local and state government issues, helping residents better understand how public policy decisions affect their daily lives.

He is married to his husband, Cannon, and together they are proud to call Orange County home, where they care for their two rescue dogs, Autumn and Olivia.

Wes Hodge brings a strong record of public service through his work as Chief of Staff to Orange County Commissioners Mayra Uribe and Dr. Kelly Martinez Semrad. In these leadership roles, he has been deeply involved in the day to day operations of county government while helping to shape long term policy priorities that impact residents across Orange County. Wes has written and advanced numerous policies and proposed legislation addressing critical issues such as the Tourist Development Tax, housing affordability, immigration, transportation, and improvements to the county’s permitting processes.

His work reflects a consistent focus on affordability and smart investment in infrastructure. Wes has supported efforts to expand housing access and reduce cost burdens for working families, while also advocating for increased funding for transportation projects that improve mobility, reduce congestion, and support sustainable growth. He has worked to ensure that Tourist Development Tax policies are more accountable and better aligned with community priorities. In addition, his efforts to reform permitting and immigration related policies demonstrate a commitment to efficiency, fairness, and transparency in local government.

Through collaboration with community stakeholders, industry leaders, and public officials, Wes Hodge has built a reputation for delivering practical, results driven solutions that strengthen communities and improve quality of life.