The Puerto Ricans Jackie Espinosa y John Cortes are heading into the second round for mayor of Kissimmee, Florida, with renewed strength.
Espinosa was the one who received the most votes in the first round. Cortés came in second, beating the also Puerto Rican by a handful of votes after a recount. Olga Cariñowho immediately supported him for the second round, which coincides with the general elections on November 5.
With only 17% participation in the first round, Espinosa obtained 1,445 votes (29.87%), compared to 1,227 for Cortés (25.37%). Cariño finished third with 1,222 (25.26%) and in fourth place the commissioner Olga Brownwith 943 (19.5%), according to the Osceola County Board of Elections.
The second round – between the two candidates with the most support – is mandatory because no one obtained an absolute majority in the first vote.
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Kissimmee, half an hour from Orlando, is a key destination for Puerto Rican emigration to Florida. One third of the population, around 80,000 people, is Puerto Rican.
The city’s mayor’s office is also in the hands of a Puerto Rican Olga Gonzalezbarred from re-election by term limits, is a position designed to be filled on a part-time basis.
The mayor is elected as one of the city’s five municipal legislators, who have the title of commissioners and decide government matters, such as the budget. The mayor’s position carries a salary of $34,000 per year.
Although it is a nonpartisan election, both candidates are identified with the Democratic Party.
Jackie Espinosa is a real estate developer in Kissimmee. (Josian Bruno/GFR MEDIA)
“The support has been good and people have responded”Espinosa said in a telephone interview with The New Dayhighlighting that he believes he has the support of the security personnel and first responders of his municipality.
Espinosa did not specify whether she will seek an alliance with Castaño, the current vice mayor of the city, now that Cortés has received Cariño’s support. However, she acknowledged that she has spoken with the vice mayor. “We have talked,” said Espinosa, stating that she has begun to receive support from people who supported Cariño and Castaño.
Cariño, with whom Espinosa has had strong differences, was close to making it to the second round. Espinosa believes that Cortés became his main opponent because many people know him after having been a state representative for six years.
“My next step is to campaign, talk to people, find out what people want to know. My next step is also to see what they need and move forward to do the right thing.”Cortes said after completing the recount, according to Spectrum News 13.
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Cortés did not respond to messages from The New Day.
Former state Rep. John Cortes (Supplied)
Former Rep. Cortes, on the other hand, has been disappointed by the low voter turnout. “We just need to improve education or do something and see what we can do to get people to vote,” Cortes added, according to WESH.
Born in New Jersey to Puerto Rican parents, Espinosa is a real estate entrepreneur who owns, among other properties, the Matador restaurant and the Plaza Espinosa office building in the city center.
For his part, Democrat Cortés, born in New York, was a Corrections officer in New York City.
In Florida, he served as a state representative for the 43rd district in the center of the state, owned a house cleaning company, and most recently worked as a community liaison in the office of the Puerto Rican Democratic congressman. Darren Soto.
Espinosa raised about $60,000 for the first round, of which he reportedly used about $48,000. Cortés only raised $4,150.
Looking ahead to the second round, Espinosa hopes to raise another $15,000. He also expects a higher voter turnout, given the interest generated by the presidential elections and the opportunity for both candidates to discuss their ideas face to face.
“It is good that the people know where we stand”he said, indicating that he promotes an agenda focused on defending businesses, senior citizens and seeking alternatives for the homeless, among other things.
In an interview prior to the primaries, Cortés said that the municipality of Kissimmee must make arrangements with the federal and state governments to obtain funds to help establish good mass transportation systems by train and bus, as well as improve the cleanliness of the city. He also indicated that money will not be key in his race, “because people know me.”
