Orlando was born and raised in South Texas in a hardworking Mexican-American family. His parents instilled in him and his siblings the values of hard work, honesty, selflessness, and personal responsibility. He was also influenced by his maternal grandmother, a strong matriarch who guided the family with love and wisdom. Family members in the LGBTQ+ community have further shaped his commitment to equality, inclusion, and standing up for those too often overlooked.

A graduate of Hidalgo High School and Texas A&M University with a degree in Construction Science, Orlando has spent more than a decade in the construction industry. In 2020, he became the youngest project manager at his former company, leading teams and managing complex development projects across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. His experience in leadership and infrastructure gives him a grounded understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing rapidly growing communities.

Orlando lives in Heath, Texas with his wife, Carolina, a former public school teacher and counselor, and their daughter Clara. Their connection to public education, both personal and professional, informs his commitment to keeping schools strong, fully funded, and safe for all.

He began considering a run for public office in the summer of 2025 after seeing teachers, parents, students, and workers come together in response to growing attacks on healthcare, public education, and personal freedoms. His decision to step forward was solidified after attending an October rally responding to abuses of power at the state and federal levels.

Orlando is running to defend public education, highlight the essential role immigrants play in Texas’s workforce and economy, and ensure working-class families have proper representation. He believes leadership means listening to his constituents and putting people over partisan politics.