Since 2016, I have had the privilege of serving the residents of Orange County. First, as a Florida Legislator for House District 48 in Tallahassee from 2016-2020; and since 2021 as the Orange County Property Appraiser.
In 2024, I am determined to continue to bring my professional background and public service experience to the people of Orange of County and earn your vote for the 2024 election cycle.
The Property Appraiser is a vitally important job in Orange County, helping ensure our schools, libraries, and public safety departments are funded. As your Property Appraiser, I serve as the link between property owners, the real estate community, and the Property Appraiser’s Office.
My team and I are working every day to restore trust in the office by prioritizing transparency, efficiency, and service. We are committed to ensuring fair valuations of property, responsible spending, exceptional constituent service, and clear communication with property owners.
Improving the lives of Orange County residents is my priority and I ask that you allow me to do so by casting your vote for me as your Orange County Property Appraiser.
Thank you,
Amy is an effective, results-oriented business leader, former Legislator, and first Latina to hold the office of Orange County Property Appraiser. She has years of experience in operations, budget management, leading teams, public policy, and more.
Amy is a working mom of six and a caretaker to an ailing grandparent. She has spent her entire life doing what’s best for those around her. In 2016, she was elected as Representative for Florida House District 48 and was subsequently re-elected in 2018. In 2020 she was elected as the Orange County Property Appraiser.
Amy is of Puerto Rican descent and was born and raised in the Bronx by Carmen Torres, a New York City Police Department Officer, and Victor “Vic” Torres, a New York City Transit Police Detective.
Amy has called Orange County home since 1996. She and her husband have raised their blended family in Orlando, where four of their six children graduated from the Orange County Public School System.
EDUCATION
Amy earned her Executive MBA from the Jack Welch Management Institute at Strayer University and Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management from American Intercontinental University.
CAREER
Amy’s career spans diverse industries and roles, including management, operations, healthcare and legal services.
Amy started her career in the healthcare industry as a registrar at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx and when she relocated to Florida, she expanded her career to include administrative and clinical critical care at Florida Hospital Orlando (now AdventHealth). Additionally, she has experience working as a project manager for several public finance attorneys in Central Florida.
Before getting elected as the Orange County Property Appraiser, Amy severed as the Director of Operations for the national commodity board overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in which she was responsible for managing a multi-million-dollar budget, reputation and crisis management, organizational leadership, vendor procurement, compliance, and human resources.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Amy has built a reputation as an effective and trusted community activist. Her community involvement includes:
MEMBERSHIPS
Amy’s memberships include:
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Amy has received recognition and accolades for her legislative and professional work from various organizations, including:
LEGISLATIVE SERVICE
Amy has a proven track record of passing bipartisan legislation in Tallahassee. Her bills passed include:
House Bill 675: Effective October 1, 2020, this bill changes the categories and penalties for indecent exposure so that the crime can be meaningfully prosecuted. This bill increases the criminal penalty for indecent exposure when committed by exposing or exhibiting the sexual organs in a vulgar or indecent manner to a third-degree felony for the secondary offense.
House Bill 1259: Effective July 1, 2020, the bill prohibits the involuntary placement of pregnant prisoners in restrictive housing, provides requirements for the treatment of pregnant prisoners placed in restrictive housing and requires pregnant prisoners to be placed in a designated medical housing unit or admitted to the infirmary under certain circumstances,
House Bill 611: This bill went into effect in 2019 and created a misdemeanor exception for street racing that allows law enforcement to work up a case using witness statements, cellphone videos and more that capture illegal races.
House Bill 49: This bill went into effect in 2019 and requires state correctional facilities to provide incarcerated women with healthcare products and requires documentation of certain incidents involving male correctional employees.
Amy’s legislative committee assignments included:
2019-2020 Committees
2016-2018 Committees
COVID-19 has altered many aspects of our lives, including the way we campaign. While we will not be knocking on doors or participating in community events during the outbreak, please consider joining Team Mercado by signing up to be a Virtual Volunteer! Virtual Volunteers will have the opportunity to make phone calls to voters, send text messages or help with social media outreach all from the comfort of their home.